Presented in the name of the United States Secretary of Defense, it was established by President Gerald R. Ford on February 6, 1976 in Executive Order 11904.

It is given by the Secretary of Defense to members of the United States Armed Forces who render superior meritorious service in a position of great responsibility.

It has also been awarded to a small cohort of U.S. military officers serving as astronauts for service leading up to and during Space Shuttle missions carrying classified and unclassified Department of Defense payloads.

The DSSM specifically recognizes exceptionally superior service, and to honor a person's accomplishments over a sustained period.

The tips of the wings cover a surrounding arc of silver five-pointed stars encircling the top and sides of the pentagon, while the bottom is surrounded by a silver wreath encircling the base composed of a laurel branch on the left and an olive branch on the right.