On August 7, 1942 an Act of Congress created the Navy and Marine Corps Medal as the second highest non-combat military medals awarded to Navy and Marine Corps personnel. These military ribbons and medals are generally awarded to service persons for heroism that includes risking their lives in actions that do not involve combat with an enemy of the United States.
During the last century, it came to be the preferred award instead of the silver or gold Lifesaving Medal, due to the creation of a variety of additional military decorations that were considered more prestigious than the Lifesaving Medal. One of the most famous recipients of the Navy and Marine Corps Medal was John F. Kennedy who won one of these military medals as commanding officer of the PT-109.
The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the equivalent of the Army Soldier’s Medal, the Air Force Airman’s Medal, and the Coast Guard Medal. The order of precedence for military medals requires that it be worn below the Distinguished Flying Cross, and above the Bronze Star.
The Navy and Marine Corps Medal can be worn as traditional full size military medals and mini medals, military ribbons and lapel pins. Like most military medals, it is available as traditional slide-on, full size military medals or mini-medals, slide-on military ribbons, and the sleek new thin military medals, mini-medals and ribbons.