History

The Coast Guard Conduct Medal was authorized on May 18, 1921. The Bronze Medal was initially awarded in recognition of superior performance of duty over a 4 year period of service. The award criteria of the Medal was amended in 1934 to recognize service over a 3 year period.

Subsequent awards were denoted by bronze good conduct ribbon clasps that were engraved on the obverse with the recipient's ship or duty, and on the reverse with the date of the award. In 1966, bronze and silver star emblems replaced the award of the good conduct clasp.

There are 2 versions of the Medal. The first featured a top suspension bar inscribed "U.S. COAST GUARD" as well as a bottom square suspension bar. The first version also depicted a ship on the obverse pendant. Following the Korean War, the first version of the Medal was discontinued. The top suspension bar was omitted from the design of the second version, and the square suspension bar was replaced by a suspension ring. The second version featured a design of the Coast Guard's insignia on the obverse instead of a ship.