History

The Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal was established by the Secretary of the Navy by Special Order on July 20, 1896. The Bronze Medal is awarded to enlisted personnel of the Marine Corps in recognition of good behaviour, efficiency, and faithful service for uninterrupted active duty. Prior to December 10, 1945, the Medal was awarded upon the completion of 4 years of honourable creditable service. Since then, the qualifying service has been reduced to 3 consecutive years of honourable and faithful service. The Medal may also be awarded for 1 year of service during war-time and service cut short due to a physical disability incurred while in combat action is also eligible.

Posthumous awards of the Medal may be presented to the next kin of service personnel who were killed in action or who died as a result of combat inflicted wounds.

Additional awards of the Medal were initially denoted by clasps inscribed with the number of awards worn on the suspension ribbon and bronze numerals worn on the service ribbon. Following 1953, the clasps and numerals were replaced by bronze star emblems.

There are 2 versions of the Medal. The first version features a suspension bar worn at the top of the ribbon inscribed "U.S. MARINE CORPS" on the obverse, as well as a rifle suspension pendant surmounted to the suspension ring. In 1935, the top suspension bar was discontinued. Various naming styles were used, and since 1951, the Medal was issued unnamed.

The Medal features a Latin inscription of the Marine Corp's motto that translates to "Always Faithful."

Privately altered versions of the Medal may be encountered. Numbered and unnumbered versions of the Medal are known to exist.