Campaign and Service Medals
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal


Description

Obverse:  In the center of a bronze medallion 1-1/4 inches in diameter, a Marine gunner is depicted serving a naval gun.  This scene is encircled within a rope, and beneath it is a scroll bearing the motto SEMPER FIDELIS (Always Faithful). Encircling the rope are the words UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS.  The whole scene rests upon a fouled anchor with its crown titled to the right.  The encircling anchor chain is within the raised rim of the medal.  The medal is suspended from a bot action rifle.

Reverse:  In the center of a bronze medallion, there is a blank space for engraving of the recipients name.  Around the inside rim of the medal, the words "FIDELITY" (on the left); OBEDIENCE (on the right); and "ZEAL" (at the bottom).
 


Ribbon
The ribbon consists of a field of soldier red bisected by a -inch stripe of dark blue.  The dark red is taken from the Navy Good Conduct Medal and the blue central stripe, which represents the Marine Corps, is added to distinguish the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal from the Navy Good Conduct Medal.

Criteria
See SECNAVIST M1650.1H (Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual).

Background
The Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal was established by Secretary of the Navy H.S. Herbert and has been awarded for qualifying service from July 20, 1896 to the present.  It is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members in the Regular Marine Corps or Marine Corps Reserve to recognize good behavior and faithful service ih the U.S. Marine Corps while on active duty for a specified period of time.





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