Department of Commerce Silver Medal Department of Commerce Silver Medal The Department of Commerce Silver Medal is the second highest of three honor awards of the United States Department of Commerce. Since 1949, the Silver Medal is presented by the Secretary of Commerce for exceptional service. The award may be presented to an individual, group, or organization in the Commerce Department for noteworthy or superlative contributions which have a direct and lasting impact with the department. The annual Department of Commerce Gold and Silver Medal Awards ceremony is held each fall at the Ronald Reagan Amphitheater in Washington, D.C.. An individual and members of a
Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan Service Medal. The medal is silver and circular in shape and designed as follows: The "Afghanistan" Clasp is awarded for service specifically in Afghanistan. A silver rosette on the ribbon denotes entitlement to the clasp when no medal is worn.<br> There are three variants of the 'Afghanistan' clasps to date:<br>The first issue from 2002–2004 – the clasp had a smooth background behind the inscription.<br>From 2005 to date, from Operation Herrick onwards – the clasp has a 'dappled' effect behind the inscription, similar to the 'Northern Ireland' clasp on the General Service Medal 1962–2007.<br>During 2009, 1,000 medals were awarded with a