2018 US Code
Title 10 - Armed Forces
Subtitle C - Navy and Marine Corps
Part II - Personnel
Chapter 837 - Decorations and Awards
Sec. 8293 - Distinguished-service medal

The President may award a distinguished-service medal of appropriate design and a ribbon, together with a rosette or other device to be worn in place thereof, to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the Navy or the Marine Corps, distinguishes himself by exceptionally meritorious service to the United States in a duty of great responsibility.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 389, §6243; renumbered §8293, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(b)(13), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1836.)

The word "award" is substituted for the word "present" to cover the determination of the recipient as well as the actual presenting of the decoration. The words "but not in the name of Congress" are omitted as surplusage, since a decoration is presented in the name of Congress only if Congress so directs. The words "Navy or the Marine Corps" are substituted for the words "Navy of the United States" because the provision is interpreted as authorizing the award of the medal to persons serving with the Marine Corps as well as with the Navy. The words "since the sixth day of April 1917 has distinguished" are omitted as executed. The words "United States" are substituted for the word "Government" for uniformity.

A prior section 8293, act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 509, provided that no person in civil life be originally appointed as a chaplain in Regular Air Force unless he has passed an examination prescribed by President as to his moral, mental, and physical qualifications, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 96–513, title II, §204, Dec. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 2880, effective Sept. 15, 1981. See section 532 of this title.

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 6243 of this title as this section.

Amendment by Pub. L. 115–232 effective Feb. 1, 2019, with provision for the coordination of amendments and special rule for certain redesignations, see section 800 of Pub. L. 115–232, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.