National Intelligence Medal for Valor

The National Intelligence Medal for Valor, formerly the Intelligence Community Medal for Valor, is a decoration of the United States Intelligence Community awarded by the National Intelligence Awards Program led by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.[1]

National Intelligence Medal for Valor
National Intelligence Medal for Valor
TypeIndividual award
Awarded forHeroism and courage in connection with an Intelligence Community contribution to national security
Presented byUnited States Intelligence Community
EligibilityUnited States Government civilian and military personnel
StatusActive
Established1 October 2008
First awarded14 November 2008
National Intelligence Medal for Valor ribbon
Precedence
Next (higher)National Intelligence Cross[1]
Next (lower)National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal[1]

The Director of National Intelligence established the Intelligence Community Medal for Valor on 1 October 2008, to "acknowledge the exceptional and unrecognized accomplishments of members of the Intelligence Community."[2] In 2009, the award was renamed the National Intelligence Medal for Valor.

Criteria

The medal recognizes heroism and courage above and beyond the call of duty in service to the intelligence community or to overall national security. Second only to the National Intelligence Cross it is the equivalent to the military Silver Star. There are very few recipients of this prestigious medal. It is almost exclusively awarded posthumously. By nature this medal is associated with clandestine operation in hostile countries and the identities of living recipients are closely guarded secrets.

Recipients

The medal was first awarded on 14 November 2008, to Marine Corps Lance Corporal James E. Swain, who died 15 November 2004, of wounds received while serving as a Marine Corps intelligence analyst during the Battle of Fallujah in Iraq.[2] Its first recipient under its new name was Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Steven P. Daugherty, sometime before 21 May 2009.[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. Trevor J. Yurista, on 1 September 2011.[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.[8]

See also

References
  1. "Intelligence Community Directive Number 655" (PDF). 9 February 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  2. "DNI Awards First Intelligence Community Medal for Valor" (PDF). ODNI News Release No. 18-08. Office of the Director of National Intelligence. 10 November 2008. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  3. "Tribute to the Daugherty Memorial Assessment Center at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Corona Division". Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 79. Government Printing Office. 21 May 2009. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
  4. "ODNI Posthumously Awards 1st LT. Roslyn L. Schulte National Intelligence Medal for Valor" (PDF). ODNI News Release No. 08-10. Office of the Director of National Intelligence. 22 January 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  5. "Marine posthumously awarded Intelligence Community Medal for Valor". Hqmc.marines.mil. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
  6. "Director Clapper Honors fallen Marine". Office of the Director of National Intelligence. 1 September 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  7. "Inside the 105th AW Photos > Media Search". 105th Airlift Wing, New York National Guard. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
  8. Fallen Marine Honored With Intelligence Medal for Valor, Defense.gov, 29 June 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
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