Harry Truman: “The state of the Union is good.”

The experience of this early period of public action showed that constant vigilance and competent professional guidance are essential to prevent irreparable losses.

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…

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

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