Navy and Marine Corps
Military Medal & Military Ribbon

a. Authorization. 10 U.S.C. S6246.

b. Navy and Marine Corps Medal Eligibility Requirements

(1) Awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Navy or the U.S. Marine Corps, distinguish themselves by heroism not involving actual conflict with the enemy. For acts of lifesaving, or attempted lifesaving, it is required that the action be performed at the risk of one's own life.

(2) Navy Reserve or Marine Corps Reserve personnel involved in lifesaving or attempted lifesaving incidents may be considered for recognition of any heroic act(s) performed regardless of whether or not the Reservist was in a duty status at the time of the act.

c. Although the Navy and Marine Corps Medal is often awarded for heroism involving lifesaving, it is not a lifesaving medal. As the senior peacetime award for heroism, this award hinges on the actual level of personal "life threatening" risk experienced by the awardee. For heroic performance to rise to this level, it must be clearly established that the act involved very specific life-threatening risk to the awardee. When there is none, or at best very limited life-threatening risk, the award of the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal may be more appropriate.

Authorized Devices: Gold Star