Executive Order 13709-National Security Medal
Issued 2015-10-02 by Barack Obama
Plain-English Overview
AI-generated summary explaining what this action does, who it affects, and why it matters
This executive order updates the rules for awarding the National Security Medal, a presidential honor that recognizes exceptional service or heroism in the field of national security. The order amends an earlier executive order from 1953 that originally established this medal. Under the updated rules, the medal may be awarded to any person, regardless of nationality, including members of the U.S. Armed Forces, for distinguished achievements or contributions made since July 26, 1947.
The order affects anyone who has performed exceptionally meritorious service in a high-responsibility position related to national security, or who has demonstrated an act of heroism requiring personal courage and complete disregard for personal safety. Individuals who have personal knowledge of such service or heroism can recommend candidates for the award to the Executive Secretary of the National Security Council, with recommendations requiring complete documentation and the concurrence of the candidate's employing department or agency when appropriate.
This matters because it provides a formal process for recognizing individuals who make significant contributions to U.S. national security. Once the Executive Secretary determines the medal is warranted and the President approves, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence processes the award and prepares the medal for presentation by the National Security Council. The order supersedes the original 1953 regulations governing this award.
AI-generated summary for educational purposes
Constitutional Analysis
How this action fits (or doesn't) within Article II authority and existing law
Executive Order 13709 addresses "Executive Order 13709-National Security Medal". Executive orders are a long-established exercise of presidential power, used by every President since George Washington. They are grounded in Article II of the Constitution, which vests executive power in the President and directs them to "take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed."
Executive orders cannot create new law, contradict existing federal statutes, or exceed the President's constitutional authority. The legitimacy of any specific order depends on whether it operates within statutory authority Congress has delegated, directs the executive branch on matters within its constitutional purview, or attempts to substitute executive policy for legislative choices. Courts can and do review executive orders for conformity with the Constitution and federal law.
Official Summary
Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 Executive Order 13709—National Security Medal October 2, 2015 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 o