There is hereby created the North Carolina National Guard Distinguished Civilian Service Medal which shall be of appropriate design, rosette or other device to be worn in lieu thereof, and citation certificate, of a design approved by the Governor or the Governor’s designee. The Governor or the Governor’s designee is authorized to award this medal upon the recommendation of the Adjutant General of North Carolina and a board of officers and noncommissioned officers appointed by the Adjutant General, to United States citizens and governmental officials at the policy development level who render distinguished service to the North Carolina National Guard. (1977, c. 796; 2009-281, s. 1; 2011-195, s. 1(a).)