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National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal
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Medals & Decorations


Description

Obverse:  A gold color medal 1-5/8 inches (4.13cm) in height/width overall consisting of a white star burst of 16 points surmounted by a gold heraldic rose charged with a dark blue disc bearing a gold compass rose of eight points.

Reverse:  On the reverse are the words NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE stacked, all gold.

Ribbon
The ribbon, which is from the original, is 1-3/8 inches wide.  It is White with a 1/8 inch Blue stripe on either side; in the center between two 1/8 inch Yellow stripes is a Scarlet 1/8 strip.

Criteria
See Intelligence Community Directive Number 655 (National Intelligence Awards Program).

Symbolism
The heraldic rose, symbol of secrecy and confidence, refers to sub rosa which is Latin for under the rose. It has been a traditional symbol to describe something to be kept secret and not repeated elsewhere. Blue is the color of loyalty and is adapted from the ODNIs seal. The compass rose at the center symbolizes the world-wide mission of the organization. The White color represents honesty, truth and optimism. The points of the star burst also allude to compass points.





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