National Security Medal

Executive Order 13709 of October 2, 2015

National Security Medal

By virtue of the authority vested in me as President of
the United States and as Commander in Chief of the
Armed Forces of the United States, it is hereby ordered
as follows:

Section 1. Policy. In order to more appropriately
recognize distinguished achievements and outstanding
contributions in the field of national security,
Executive Order 10431 of January 19, 1953, is amended
as follows:

    (a) Section 2 is amended to read as follows: “The
National Security Medal may be awarded to any person,
without regard to nationality, including members of the
Armed Forces of the United States, for distinguished
achievement or outstanding contribution made on or
after July 26, 1947, in the field of national security
through either exceptionally meritorious service
performed in a position of high responsibility or
through an act of heroism requiring personal courage of
a high degree and complete disregard of personal
safety.”; and
    (b) By inserting at the end:
    “7. Any individual having personal knowledge of
the facts of a potential recipient's exceptionally
meritorious service or act of heroism, either as an
eyewitness or from the testimony of others who have
personal knowledge or were eyewitnesses, may recommend
the potential recipient as a candidate for the award to
the Executive Secretary of the National Security
Council. Any recommendations shall be made with the
concurrence of the department or agency employing the
proposed recipient, if appropriate, and be accompanied
by complete documentation, including, where necessary,
certificates, affidavits, or sworn transcripts of
testimony. Each recommendation for an award shall show
the exact status, at the time of the rendition of the
service on which the recommendation is based, with
respect to citizenship, employment, and all other
material factors of the person who is being recommended
for the National Security Medal. Each recommendation
shall contain a draft of an appropriate citation to
accompany the award of the National Security Medal.
    “8. Upon a determination by the Executive
Secretary of the National Security Council that the
National Security Medal is warranted, and following
approval by the President, the Executive Secretary
shall notify the Office of the Director of National
Intelligence, which will then process the award
recommendation, prepare the National Security Medal,
with any appropriate devices, and deliver the National
Security Medal to the National Security Council for
presentation to the recipient.”

Sec. 2. This order supersedes the regulations governing
the award of the National Security Medal issued with
Presidential approval on January 19, 1953, and
published with Executive Order 10431.

Sec. 3. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order
shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the
head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget
relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

    (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with
applicable law and subject to the availability of
appropriations.

    (c) This order is not intended to, and does not,
create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural,
enforceable at law or in equity by any party against
the United States, its departments, agencies, or
entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any
other person.

    (Presidential Sig.)

THE WHITE HOUSE,

    October 2, 2015.