# Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal

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, 1+1⁄2 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, 1+3⁄8 of an inch long and 9⁄32 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 1+3⁄8 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 3⁄8 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, 3⁄8 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 conferred | Service Member | Abbreviated Citation | Ref |
| | Colonel Harold Brent | | |
| September 12, 1996 | Command Sergeant Major Richard Nations | For 20 years of exceptional service in the Texas Military Forces | |
| September 28, 2002 | Colonel Mervyn J. Doherty | Established Texas State Guard Officer Candidate School | |
| September 3, 2015 | Colonel Brian Hammerness | | |
| June 26, 2018 | Colonel Ben Setliff | For 30 years of exceptional service. | |
| September 8, 2018 | Colonel Steve Metze | For 29 years of combined exceptional service in the Texas Military Forces and United States Armed Forces | |
| June 24, 2015 | Command Sergeant Major Maggie McCormick | Induction into the TXMF Hall of Honor | |
| | Master Sergeant Theresa M. Billeck-Zuniga | Induction into the TXMF Hall of Honor | |
| | Lieutenant General Gerald R. Betty | | |
| July 10, 2017 | Staff Sergeant Angel Avila | For exceptional meritorious conduct and outstanding service | [10] |
| July 28, 2019 | Colonel John Wieden | For 24 years of exceptional service. | |
| July 31, 2021 | Command Sergeant Major Charles R Turbeville | For 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, 2022 | Colonel Joseph M. Ferguson | For over 24 years of distinguished service to the United States of America and the State of Texas. | [12] |