STAFF STUDY 'CIA HONOR AWARDS'

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-01826R000500100010-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 30, 1998
• Sequence Number: 10
• Publication Date: October 7, 1953
• Content Type: MEMO

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Approved For Relete02001/QAMMA101121041.WA4,110W100010-9
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ChairmaN, CIA Career Service Board
Chairmon, CIA Honor Awards Board
amooCT: Staff Study "CIA Honor Awards"
1. Problem: To create a series of internally controlled CIA honor
awararto supplemeat the rational Security Medal and Medal of Freedom
for presentation to employees of the Agency whose performance warranta
'special recognition.
-2. k...smtiat:
a. In ftrtberince of the U.S. intelligence effort some individUala
perform acts of valor or exemplary achievement which cannot be approp-
riately recognized under present CIA procedures.
h. The owcaUnity for contributing outotaneing performance is
present at all levels and in all areas.
O Facts:
0 Military and civilian agencies recognize,,by personal decoration,
acts of valor and exemplary achievement.
'b. The effectiveness of such decorations or awards depends to a
large degree upon the standards under which they are awarded, as well
as Upon the recognition, and appreciation accorded them.
c. The Agency? in contrast to others, has inadequate provision
for internally controlled honor awards for presentation to deserving
emPlOYees.
a. It is. envisaged that the National Security Medal ru remain
the senior U.S. decoration for outstanding contribution in the field
of U*S. intelligence. Two new CIA decorations would take precedence
immedint -afterathe National Security Medal so that, including the
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14eaIof range of four decorations would be aWarded
tc C The military equivalents of these decorations are
roughly-as foUowe
(I) (Distinguished Service Croes
National. Security Medal (Navy Croats
(Distinguished Service Medal
(2) (Silver S
(Legion or merit
CIA Medal for Exceptional (Distinguished Flying Cross
Serried, (Soldiers Medal
(Navy and !Urine Cozve Medal
(3) (Bronze Star, Meda/:
? CIA Nodal for (Air Medal
torious Seririce - (Commendation Ribbon
,
?
'(4) Xedel of Freedom when awarded to
sane as (3) above
43 The two CIA medals, each with appro'iate appurteenc8e would
be awarded Wien the :following criteria are met:
(l) CIA Medal for Exceptional SerVifse
1
(a) The recipient must have distinguish? elf
..by aeroluntare act of Iheroism, or by a jseries of c
related acts, involving the acceptance of existing ther
leth -prsi:eeworthy for and 132C011'0181,' ten:1.sec, In
general, he degree ot* heroism will equal. the Burnt:lax*
employed;by the. Serviees when awarding Ahe Silver Sters,
Distieguisheer Flying Cross, Soldiers medal or FaV and
Marine Carps Medal; ors,
(b) The recipient mast have att.Ld shed.
by performan( a of outstanding services n 10
of a ditktinctively exceptional, nature in a duty of
reseonsibilii yp the results c)f which c4at5?tute a, magenceJor
on
cteAttion' to the leissions of the yfjitelli
kgencY.
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? (2) The CIA Medal for Meritorious Sok
(a) The recipient 'must have distingUished himself
,
by-the acceptance of existing dangera wfth praiseworthy
?fortitude and exemplary eournee. In general, the criteria
employed by the Services when awarding the Bronze Stnr
Medal and Commendation Ribbon for'hevolt action will be
-tollbWed- or '
s,
(b) The recipient must hive dietineuished himself
-
by performance of meritorious,serviees?-or achievement,
in addition to the duties normalle expected or him, re-
wiring initiative and extra effort which hive contributed
to the aO0oMplishment of the missions of the Central intelli-
gence Agency.
Conolusioaex
a. The present Honor - Weida Program would be enriched by the
establishment of the decorations referred to in pprag.raph it above.
b. Such awards should be made under circumstances approprilte
to the statttre of -the award and to be wide a 2retter of suitable notices,.
dations
ra, That, utilizing the authority of Public Law 600, the decoraVoes
Proposed in paragraph 4 above be authorized be- the Director of Central
Intelligence. -
b. That the Honor Awards 'Board be responsible for the establish-,
ment of standards end the review of recommendations for elch of the
decorations.
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CONFIDENTIAL: