Navy and Marine Corps Medal

Navy and Marine Corps Medal
Name	Navy and Marine Corps Medal
Awarded by	United States Department of the Navy
Type	Medal
Eligibility	Navy and Marine Corps personnel
For	Heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy
Status	Currently awarded
First award	1942
Higher	Bronze Star Medal
Same	Army: Soldier's Medal, Air and Space Forces: Airman's Medal, Coast Guard: Coast Guard Medal
Lower	Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal

Navy and Marine Corps Medal. It is a prestigious United States military decoration awarded for acts of heroism not involving direct combat with an enemy force. Authorized by an act of Congress and established by Executive Order in 1942, it recognizes voluntary risk of life to save others or protect government property. The medal holds a significant place in the hierarchy of U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps personal awards, ranking just below the Bronze Star Medal.

History and establishment

The decoration was formally created on 7 August 1942, during the height of World War II, via Executive Order 9265 signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Its establishment filled a critical gap in the Navy Department's recognition system, providing an equivalent to the Army's Soldier's Medal, which had been created in 1926. The need for such an award became apparent as numerous acts of lifesaving heroism occurred in training, aboard ships, and in other non-combat scenarios throughout the Pacific and European Theaters. Early awards were often for actions involving aircraft crashes, shipboard fires, and training accidents, with the first medals awarded retroactively for deeds performed prior to the official establishment date.

Criteria and eligibility

Eligibility extends to any member of the United States Navy or United States Marine Corps, including reservists, who distinguishes themselves by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy. The key criterion is the voluntary assumption of risk to one's own life while saving or attempting to save another person from peril, or in preventing serious damage to government property. The act must be performed with clear consciousness of the personal danger involved, and the level of heroism must be distinctly above that required for the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal. Awards can be made posthumously, and the decoration may also be awarded to members of foreign militaries serving with or alongside U.S. forces.

Design and appearance

The medal is a bronze octagon, one and a quarter inches wide. The obverse depicts an eagle with displayed wings standing on a fouled anchor, partially enclosed by a laurel wreath. The reverse bears the inscriptions "HEROISM" and "UNITED STATES NAVY" or "UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS" around the edge, with a blank central area for engraving the recipient's name. The ribbon is navy blue with a central stripe of old gold, flanked by narrow stripes of scarlet, reflecting the colors of the Navy and Marine Corps. Subsequent awards are denoted by gold 5⁄16 inch stars or oak leaf clusters worn on the suspension ribbon and service ribbon.

Notable recipients

Several recipients later achieved high rank or great fame. As a Lieutenant (junior grade), future President John F. Kennedy was awarded it for his actions following the sinking of PT-109 in the Solomon Islands in 1943. James B. Stockdale, later a Vice Admiral and Medal of Honor recipient, received it for actions during a 1960s aircraft carrier flight deck fire. Other distinguished recipients include Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, the most decorated Marine in history, who earned it during Haitian service, and astronaut Alan Shepard, who received it for his role in recovering a fellow test pilot from a crashed aircraft.

Comparison to other awards

It is the Navy Department's non-combat heroism award, directly equivalent to the Army's Soldier's Medal, the Air and Space Forces's Airman's Medal, and the Coast Guard's Coast Guard Medal. It is distinct from the Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, and Silver Star, which are awarded for combat heroism or gallantry against an enemy. The key differentiator is the absence of "enemy action"; the heroism recognized typically involves accidents, natural disasters, or other life-threatening situations not caused by hostile forces.

Order of precedence and wear

Within the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps awards system, it is positioned above the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and below the Bronze Star Medal in order of precedence. When worn with other U.S. military decorations, it is placed accordingly on the uniform. The corresponding service ribbon is worn on the ribbon bar in the same sequence. For personnel who have received multiple awards for valor, this decoration is worn after any awards for combat heroism but before awards for meritorious service or achievement.

Category:United States Navy awards and decorations Category:United States Marine Corps awards and decorations Category:Military awards and decorations of the United States