The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the second highest non-combatant medal awarded by the United States Department of the Navy to members of the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps.  The decoration was established by an act of Congress on August 7, 1942.  The Navy and Marine Corps Medal may be awarded to service members who, while serving in any capacity with the Navy or Marine Corps, distinguish themselves by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy.  Typically, it is awarded for actions involving the risk of ones own life.  The Navy and Marine Corps Medal was first bestowed during the Second World War, although the first recipient is unknown.  A famous recipient of the Navy and Marine Corps Medal was President (then Lieutenant) John F. Kennedy who was awarded the decoration for service as Commanding Officer of a World War II Motor Torpedo Boat, PT-109.