The Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal, also known as the Texas Distinguished Service Medal, is the fifth highest military decoration that can be conferred to a service member of the Texas Military Forces. Subsequent decorations are conferred by a white enameled five-pointed star trimmed in gold device.
Eligibility The Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal is conferred to any service member of the Texas Military Forces who, while serving in any capacity with the Texas Military Forces, shall have distinguished themselves by exceptionally outstanding achievement or service to the State of Texas in the performance of duties of great responsibility. The Adjutant General has final approval authority.
Authority The Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal was authorized by the Sixtieth Texas Legislature in House Bill Number 674 and approved by the Governor John Connally on 8 May 1967, effective the same date.
Description
Medal The medal pendant is a brushed gold five-pointed star with one point up, of an inch in circumscribing diameter. In the raised center of the star is the inscription "SERVICE" on a royal blue field, encircled by a live oak branch with acorns on the wearer's right and an olive branch with olives on the wearer's left. The star is suspended by one link from a brushed gold bar, of an inch long and of an inch high, bearing the inscription "TEXAS" in raised brushed gold letters on a field of royal blue. The reverse of the medal pendant and bar is blank. The pendant is suspended by a metal loop attached to a burnt red moiré silk neckband of an inch wide and 24 inches long, behind a hexagonal pad in the center made of matching ribbon. A white enamelled five pointed star, trimmed in gold and of an inch in circumscribing diameter, is centred on the hexagonal pad, one point up.
Device A white enamelled five-pointed star, trimmed in gold, of an inch in circumscribing diameter, is conferred for second and successive decorations. Stars will be worn centered on the ribbon, with one point up, in conjunction with the star that is part of the original decoration. A maximum of four stars, to include the star that is part of the original decoration, will be worn.
Recipients Date conferredService MemberAbbreviated CitationRefDecember 11, 2022Lieutenant Colonel Henry BurtonFor 13 years of distinguished service to the TXSG and the State of Texas.Colonel Harold BrentSeptember 12, 1996Command Sergeant Major Richard NationsFor 20 years of exceptional service in the Texas Military ForcesSeptember 28, 2002Colonel Mervyn J. DohertyEstablished Texas State Guard Officer Candidate SchoolSeptember 3, 2015Colonel Brian HammernessJune 26, 2018Colonel Ben SetliffFor 30 years of exceptional service.September 8, 2018Colonel Steve MetzeFor 29 years of combined exceptional service in the Texas Military Forces and United States Armed ForcesJune 24, 2015Command Sergeant Major Maggie McCormickInduction into the TXMF Hall of HonorMaster Sergeant Theresa M. Billeck-ZunigaInduction into the TXMF Hall of HonorLieutenant General Gerald R. BettyJuly 10, 2017Staff Sergeant Angel AvilaFor exceptional meritorious conduct and outstanding serviceJuly 28, 2019Colonel John WiedenFor 24 years of exceptional service.July 31, 2021Command Sergeant Major Charles R TurbevilleFor 28.5 years of combined exceptional and distinguished service in the Texas State Guard (8.5 years) and United States Army (20 years. CSM Turbevilld served as the Texas State Guard Command Senior Enlisted Leader for MG Bodisch and MG Woods.)March 25, 2022Colonel Joseph M. FergusonFor over 24 years of distinguished service to the United States of America and the State of Texas.
See also
Awards and decorations of the Texas Military Awards and decorations of the Texas government Texas Military Forces Texas Military Department List of conflicts involving the Texas Military
References
11. Texas Military Forces, Joint Force HQ permanent order 191-02
12. Texas Military Forces, Joint Force HQ permanent order 084-001
External links
Texas Distinguished Service Medal