United States of America: Army Good Conduct Medal, 1st striking and probably dating from 1941, rim officially numbered: ‘30753’, with original ribbon and full wrap brooch. A rare example of type.
Condition: Good Very Fine.
The Army Good Conduct Medal was established by Executive Order 8809, dated 28 June 1941, and authorised the award for soldiers completing three years active service after that date.
The criteria were amended by Executive Order 9323, dated 31 March 1943, to authorise the award for enlisted soldiers having three years of service after 27 August 1940 or one year of service after 7 December 1941 while the United States is at war. Executive Order 10444, dated 10 April 1953, revised the criteria to authorise the award for soldiers having three years of service after 27 August 1940; one year of service after 7 December 1941 while the United States is at war; and for soldiers having the first award for service after 27 June 1950 upon termination of service, for periods less than three years, but more than one year. An initial award of the Good Conduct Medal can also be awarded to soldiers with less than one year of service if the soldier was discharged due to an injury sustained in the line of duty or if died in service. Second and subsequent awards are indicated by the wear of the clasp with loops on the ribbon. The "loops" indicating subsequent awards were called "hitches", a "hitch" being three years of service. During the Vietnam War it was known as the "Dentyne wrapper" (chewing gum brand) owing to it being red and white like the medal's suspension ribbon.
Officially, the Good Conduct Medal is awarded for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity in active Federal Military service. It is awarded on a selective basis to each soldier who distinguishes himself/herself from among his/her fellow soldiers by their exemplary conduct, efficiency, and fidelity throughout a specified period of continuous enlisted active Federal military service. Qualifying periods of service include each three years completed after 27 August 1940 or, for first award only, upon completion of at least one year upon termination of service if separated prior to three years. Also for the first award only, for those individuals who died before completing one year of active Federal military service if the death occurred in the line of duty. The immediate commander must approve the award and the award must be announced in permanent orders.
