Medals of the Month -- 2nd Quarter 1999
| Medal of the Month -- March 1999 | |
Mariner's Medal -- U.S. Merchant Marine |
|
 |
The Merchant Marine played a significant role in
convoy operations in the Atlantic and Pacific during World War II. Officers and men of the
Merchant Service fought, and in many cases sacrificed their lives, along side their
comrads in the armed forces, yet the Purple Heart was not available to these heroes. To
solve this dilemma, the Mariner's Medal was established by an Act of Congress on 10 May
1943. Much rarer than even Navy Purple Hearts, only 6,635 Mariner's Medals were awarded for service in World War II. All further awards of the Mariner's Medal were suspended on 26 March 1954. Designed by Paul Manship, subsequent awards of the Mariner's Medal were recognized by 5/16th inch Gold Stars attached to the suspension and service ribbons. |
| Medal of the Month -- February 1999 | |
| On August 7, 1942, the Navy discontinued the
practice of awarding the Medal of Honor and Navy Cross for acts of non-combat heroism. To
fill this void, the Navy immediately introduced the Navy and Marine Corps Medal. The Army, which had never awarded the Medal of Honor or the Distinguished Service Cross for non-combat heroism, introduced the Soldier's Medal, in 1926, to recognize individual acts of non-combat heroism. The Army standard was set at a level of heroism that would warrant the Silver Star if the act had been performed while in combat. The Navy adopted standards, similiar to those of the Army, for the Navy and Marine Corps Medal. Perhaps the most famous recipient of the Navy and Marine Corps Medal was President John F. Kennedy. While serving in the Navy during WWII, Kennedy, then a Lt. (jg), was awarded the medal for his effots in rescuing the crew of his boat, the P.T. 109, after it was rammed and cut in half by a Japanese destroyer. |
 |
| Medal of the Month -- January 1999 | |
Yangtze Service Medal - Navy and Marine Corps |
|
 |
In 1924 a new wave of nationalism began to sweep
China and threatened to drive foreign business out of the country. In response to the
threats to U.S. nationals, a contingent of five thousand Marines were dispatched to
protect American interest in Shanghai and other cities. To recognize the service of U.S. Marines and Navy personnel, the Yangtze Service Medal was created by Navy Department General Orders No. 205. This order, dated April 28, 1930 was made retro active to September 3, 1926 through December 31, 1927. A second period of eligibility was also announced to cover the period from March 1, 1930 to December 31, 1932. The Yangtze Service Medal is found with both Navy and Marine Corp reverses. Originally produced by the U.S. Mint, original medals are found with a full wrap brooch and "M.No." serial numbers. |
