The Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) was a military decoration awarded until 1993 to personnel of the British Armed Forces, and formerly to personnel of other Commonwealth of Nations, up to the enlisted grade of OR-6, for bravery and resourcefulness on active service.

[5] In 1940 the award was extended to Royal Air Force personnel serving with the Fleet and, in 1942, to members of the Merchant Navy, and Army personnel serving afloat, for example manning a merchant ship's anti-aircraft guns.

[5] A number of awards were also made to civilians, including two for ferrying troops from the beaches during the 1940 Dunkirk evacuation.

The Distinguished Service Medal was discontinued in 1993, as part of the review of the British honours system which recommended removing distinctions of rank in respect of awards for bravery.

Since then the Distinguished Service Cross, previously only open to Commissioned and Warrant Officers, has been awarded to all ranks.