US Marine Corps

Lore & Background

The medal was established by an act of Congress on 7 August 1942. It is the equivalent of the Army's Soldier's Medal, the Air and Space Forces' Airman's Medal, and the Coast Guard Medal. The award hinges on the actual level of personal 'life threatening' risk experienced by the awardee. During the mid-20th century, it has been awarded instead of the Silver or Gold Lifesaving Medal for sea rescues involving risk to life. Additional awards are denoted by gold or silver 1/8 inch stars. The medal was first bestowed during World War II, but was awarded retroactively for actions that predated its establishment to any person who received a letter of commendation for heroism from the Secretary of the Navy before August 7, 1942, and who applies for the medal.

In Their Own Story

The hedgerow was three feet of green wall and the world beyond it was all wrong. You could hear the crack of a MG42 somewhere to the left, staccato and close, and the smell of cordite mixed with wet earth. Your squad leader barked a count—three, two, one—and you were over the top, boots slipping in mud, the M1 Garand heavy in your hands. The Marine to your right was already laying down suppressive fire, and you saw the tracers stitch the far side of the field. You didn't think about the war. You thought about the next ten yards, the next breath, the next order. That was all any of you had. That was all the Corps ever asked.

Reader's Guide

The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is an octagonal bronze medal. The obverse depicts an eagle holding a fouled anchor over a globe. The word 'Heroism' is inscribed below the globe. The ribbon is three equal stripes of navy blue, old gold, and apple red.

Did You Know?

• The medal was established by an act of Congress on 7 August 1942.
• It is the highest non-combat decoration for heroism awarded by the Department of the Navy.
• The medal was awarded retroactively for heroism acts that occurred before its establishment.
• Notable recipients include Barbara O. Barnwell, the first female Marine awarded the medal, and John F. Kennedy.