Defense and national security

Executive Order 13830: Delegation of Authority To Approve Certain Military Decorations

President: Donald J. Trump

Authorized service secretaries to award named military medals in the President’s name under stated conditions.

Status: In effect. Is Executive Order 13830 still in effect? Yes. Executive Order 13830 remains in effect. See Executive Order 14085: Expanding Eligibility for Certain Military Decorations and Awards, Federal Register record.

What does Executive Order 13830 do?

EO 13830 prescribed rules for approval of specified military decorations, including service crosses, Distinguished Service Medals, Silver Stars, the Legion of Merit and other named awards. It delegated authority to military department secretaries and, for the Coast Guard outside Navy service, Homeland Security, subject to statutory criteria. It superseded EO 4601 and EO 9260 while preserving compatible existing regulations until changed. EO 14085 amended its citations and wording in 2022, including Space Force references. It did not itself confer any medal on a person.

Administration position: Eligibility for a decoration still depends on service record, statutory criteria and the applicable approval process.
SignedApril 20, 2018
Decision makersService secretaries
Earlier orders supersededEO 4601 and EO 9260
EffectAward-approval framework

Before and after

Before the order

Older presidential orders and service regulations governed listed awards.

After the order

The new delegation and standards replaced the older presidential rules.

Who had to do what

Agency / officeActionTiming / position
Service secretariesApprove specified medals in President’s nameUnder criteria
Defense SecretaryApprove specified uniform regulationsWhere required

What happened next

EO 13830 signed and superseded two earlier orders.