Navy Good Conduct Medal

Criteria: The current Navy Good Conduct Medal dates from 1961 and is issued to every active duty sailor who completes three years of honorable and faithful service. Before 1996, four years of honorable and faithful service was required. During times of war, the Good Conduct Medal may be awarded for one year of faithful service. The Good Conduct Medal may also be awarded posthumously, to any soldier killed in the line of duty. Upon 12 years of honorable and faithful service, sailors are also allowed to wear gold-colored version of their Petty Officer insignia, something usually seen with those with the rank of Chief Petty Officer and above, although a few with the rank of Petty Officer 1st Class (usually in the Navy Reserve) have their version of this rank insignia. Of all the Good Conduct Medals, The Navy Good Conduct Medal is the oldest, dating back to 1869. There have been a total of four versions of the Navy Good Conduct Medal, the first version of which was issued from 1870 to 1884. The second version of the Navy Good Conduct Medal was issued between 1880 and 1884. The medal was phased out by 1885 and a new medal issued between 1885 and 1961. Enlistment bars, denoting each honorable enlistment completed, were pinned on the ribbon as attachments. Service stars denote additional awards of the Navy Good Conduct Medal.

Attachments: Bronze Star Device, Silver Star Device.