On May 8, 1919 the Marine Corps created their Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal in the form of a Marine Corps ribbon. The military medal version of the Expeditionary Ribbon was not authorized until July of 1921. These Marine Corps medals are one of the oldest decorations still issued to current active duty personnel. These military ribbons and medals are awarded to service members who have engaged in a landing on foreign territory, participated in combat operations against an opposing force, or participated in a designated operation for which no other service medal is authorized. Personnel eligible for these Marine Corps awards after 1961 have the right to choose between the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
The Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal is worn in a position directly below the Fleet Marine Force Ribbon and immediately above the China Service Medal in the order of precedence governing the placement of all Marine Corps mounted medals and ribbons which are intended for official display on uniforms of Marine Corps personnel. As with other Marine Corps decorations, additional awards are denoted by Service Stars.

The Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal is generally available as Marine Corps medals, ribbons, and lapel pins, and can be worn as traditional slide-on medals and ribbons, or the newer thin mini-medals, and mounted military ribbons that have become so very popular among up and coming military personnel who know how important it is to their career advancement to always maximize the neatness and smartness of their uniform appearance.