[2] Created in 2001 in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, the medal recognizes government employees and private citizens who perform an act of heroism or sacrifice, with voluntary risk to their personal safety in the face of danger.

[3][4][5] The military equivalent of the medal for army soldiers is the Distinguished Service Cross.

The obverse depicts a five pointed star on top of a laurel wreath.

The reverse of the medal has a small laurel wreath under a rectangular plate for engraving the recipient's name.

The medal is suspended from a ribbon 35 mm in width in ultramarine blue.