Recipients of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

Vernon Eugene Clark (born September 7, 1944) is a retired admiral who served as the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) of the United States Navy. He retired on July 22, 2005, making his tenure of five years the second-longest serving CNO behind Arleigh Burke. He currently sits on the board of directors of Raytheon and SRI International. In November 2009, he was selected along with former Secretary of Veterans Affairs Togo West by Defense Secretary Robert Gates to lead the military investigation into the Fort Hood massacre.

George James Eade (October 27, 1921 – August 26, 2018) was a four star general in the United States Air Force who served as Deputy Commander in Chief, United States European Command from 1973 to 1975.

Lieutenant General Herbert R. Temple Jr. (born February 28, 1928) is a career military officer who served as Chief of the National Guard Bureau.

Michael D. Dubie (born March 25, 1960) is a United States Air Force officer who attained the rank of lieutenant general while serving as the deputy commander of United States Northern Command from 2012 to 2015. From 2006 to 2012 he was Adjutant General of the State of Vermont, serving as the senior uniformed officer in the state responsible for the organization, training and equipage of the 4,000 members of the Vermont Army and Air National Guard. As adjutant general, he also served as inspector general, quartermaster general and head of the State Military Department, including Veterans Affairs.

Robert Couth Mathis (July 3, 1927 – April 27, 2016) was a United States Air Force four-star general who served as Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF) from 1980 to 1982.

Gary R. Pfingston (January 2, 1940 – June 23, 2007) was an airman in the United States Air Force who served as the 10th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force from 1990 to 1994.

Major General Salvador Enrique Felices (August 13, 1923 – July 14, 1987) was the first Puerto Rican to reach the rank of major general in the United States Air Force. In 1957, he participated in "Operation Power Flite", the first round-the-world nonstop flight by a jet airplane.

Major General Orlando Llenza (July 1, 1930 – March 11, 2021) was the second Puerto Rican to reach the rank of Major General (two-star General) in the United States Air Force. Llenza served as commander of the Puerto Rico Air National Guard (PRANG).

Lieutenant General Eugene Francis Tighe, Jr. (June 19, 1921 – January 29, 1994) was director of the United States Defense Intelligence Agency (September 1977 – August 1981).

Carlos Maurice Talbott (January 28, 1920 – February 26, 2015) was a United States Air Force officer who attained the rank of lieutenant general and was vice commander in chief of the Pacific Air Forces, headquartered at Hickam Air Force Base.