Harry Truman: “The Secretary of Defense as the head of the Department of Defense will exercise authority, direction and control over…”

I have great faith and confidence in our civil servants.

There is hereby established a medal to be known as the National Security Medal with accompanying ribbons and appurtenances.

I am happy to join with you in the recognition of the 70th Anniversary of the establishment of the Federal Civil Service merit system.

Members of the armed forces of the United States who are awarded the decoration established by this order are authorized to wear the medal and the ribbon symbolic of the award, as may be authorized by uniform regulations approved by the…