The medal recognizes heroism and courage above and beyond the call of duty in service to the intelligence community or to overall national security.

The medal was first awarded on 14 November 2008, to Marine Corps Lance Corporal James E. Swain, who died on 15 November 2004, of wounds received while serving as a Marine Corps intelligence analyst during the Battle of Fallujah in Iraq.

[2] (The Swain Annex of the Marine Corps Intelligence Activity (MCIA) complex also bears his name.)

[3] Defense Department officials have released the names of three other recipients, all of whom received their medals posthumously: Air Force 1st Lieutenant Roslyn L. Schulte, who received it on 22 January 2010;[4] Marine Sergeant Lucas T. Pyeatt, on 29 June 2011;[5] and Marine Capt.

[6][7] As of June 2011, the medal had also been awarded to six living recipients whose names have been kept secret, according to DoD officials.