This is a very nice World War II Navy and Marine Corps Medal that remains in excellent condition. The planchet is beautifully struck and with very fine detail. It is finished with the flat bronze finish that is characteristic to Navy/Marine Corps awards. The ribbon is strong, solid, and with good color. The medal is mounted on a full wrap broach with a matching finish to that of the planchet. The pin and roller lock assemblies are completely functional. The reverse of the planchet is officially engraved with,’DISPLAY’. This is a very attractive example of a very difficult to find Navy and Marine Corps medal and one that remains in excellent condition. The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the highest non-combat decoration awarded for heroism by the United States Department of the Navy to the members of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The decoration was established by an act of Congress on 7 August 1942. As the senior non-combat 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. The Navy and Marine Corps Medal was first bestowed during World War II. One of the more noted recipients was President John F. Kennedy who was awarded the medal as commanding officer of Motor Torpedo Boat PT-109 during World War II.
