The Distinguished Service Award was created in 1940 to honor those who rendered service to the Order beyond the lodge level. The award is presented to those Arrowmen, youth, adult or professional scouter, who have rendered distinguished and outstanding service to the Order on a sectional, regional, or national basis. Since the time of the first awards given in 1940, approximately 700 Distinguished Service Awards have been presented. This alone is testament to its standard of excellence.

The first Distinguished Service Awards were then presented at Camp Twin Echo in Pennsylvania to E. Urner Goodman, Carroll A. Edson and nine others. Between 1940 and the first national Order of the Arrow conference in 1948, the DSA was presented at national meetings as deserving individuals were identified. Thereafter, the Award became a traditional part of the pageantry and ceremony of the national conference.

The award is a sterling silver arrowhead, bearing an arrow pointing upward and to the wearer's right, suspended from a white neck-ribbon upon which are embroidered red arrows. A white square knot embroidered upon red cloth is also available.

Taken from the Order of the Arrow Handbook