Navy and Marine Corps Medal

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Navy and Marine Corps Medal
Awarded by United States Navy and United States Marine Corps
Type	Medal
Awarded for	"Distinguishing oneself by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy. For acts of lifesaving, or attempted lifesaving, it is required that the action be performed at the risk of one's own life"
Status	Currently awarded
Statistics
Established	7 August 1942
Precedence
Next (higher)	Distinguished Flying Cross
Equivalent	Army - Soldier's Medal Air Force - Airman's Medal Coast Guard - Coast Guard Medal
Next (lower)	Bronze Star
Navy and Marine Corps Medal ribbon

The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the second and third highest non-combatant medal for bravery against an unarmed enemy awarded by the United States Department of the Navy to the United States Navy and the United States 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 one's own life.

During the mid-20th century, the Navy and Marine Corps Medal has been awarded instead of the Silver or Gold Lifesaving Medal, for sea rescues involving risk of life. This is due primarily to the creation of a variety of additional military decorations that are often considered more prestigious than the Lifesaving Medal.

The Navy and Marine Corps Medal was first bestowed during World War II, although the first recipient is unknown. Perhaps the most famous recipient of the Navy and Marine Corps Medal was President John F. Kennedy who was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for service as Commanding Officer of a World War II Motor Torpedo Boat PT-109.

The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is generally considered the equivalent of the U.S. Army′s Soldier's Medal, the U.S. Air Force′s Airman's Medal, and the Coast Guard Medal.

The recipients of the Navy and Marine Corps Medal and the text of the citations issued to each recipient, to the extent of available records, are listed in a Naval database.^[1]

See Also: Awards and decorations of the United States military, Lifesaving Medal

Notable Recipients

• Adams II, Joel C.
• Brashear, Carl
• Cartano, John D.
• Del Valle, Pedro
• Dietrichsen, Kyle
• Evans, Shaun
• Fienen, Phillip
• Fluegel, Robert J.
• Gonzalez, Brandon L.
• Gullo, Carmine R.
• Johnson, Daniel
• Kane, Paul V.
• Kennedy, John F.
• Schmitt, Aloysius
• Wiese, Paul C.
• Williams, James E.

v t e Military awards of the United States Department of the Navy Meritorious medals Navy Cross · Navy Distinguished Service · Navy and Marine Corps Medal · Navy and Marine Corps Commendation · Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Expeditionary medals Navy Expeditionary · Marine Corps Expeditionary Good Conduct medals Navy Good Conduct · Marine Corps Good Conduct · Naval Reserve Meritorious Service · Selected Marine Corps Reserve Unit awards Presidential Unit Citation · Navy Unit Commendation · Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation · Navy E Ribbon Ribbons Combat Action · Overseas Service · Sea Service · Arctic Service · Navy Recruiting Service · Marine Corps Recruiting Service · Navy Recruit Training Service · Marine Corps Drill Instructor · Marine Corps Security Guard · Navy Ceremonial Duty · Navy Reserve Sea Service Marksmanship Navy Expert Rifleman Medal · Navy Sharpshooter Rifle Ribbon · Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon · Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal · Navy Sharpshooter Pistol Shot Medal · Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon

References