Army Good Conduct Medal.
Established by executive order 8809 June 28th 1941 for efficiency, fidelity and good behaviour whilst serving as an enlisted grade on military duty. The US Army good conduct medal was awarded for 3 years completed service from 27th August 1940. After Pearl Harbor 7th December 1941 the medal was awarded for 1 years service during wartime duty then reverted back to 3 years post war. One of the original manufacturers of this medal was the Medallic Arts Co, N Y. The first stampings were numbered from 1 – 38000 on a full wrap brooch.
Medallic Arts Co early numbered 373 with full wrap brooch.
Later issued were un-numbered and were fitted with the slotted loop suspender. On the reverse was a small cartouche for engraving the recipients name.
Left: Named Army GC medals to 16036354 Frank I. Tebrugge, enlisted Chicago, Illinois 18th December 1941, Private Army Air Corp. Right: 364051304 Walter H. Schannite, enlisted 7th October 1943. Subsequent awards were issued as bars in the shape of a knotted rope. There are 2 knots on the ribbon clasp below Schannite’s GC medal indicating a 3rd award. Award clasps for second to fifth were awarded in Bronze with sixth to tenth in Silver and eleventh to fifteenth in Gold. Other makers were Robbins of Attleboro, Silverman Brothers, and Lordship Industries LIGI. There have been some amendments to the medal in 1943 and 1953 as the medal is still issued to this day.
From its inception in 1947 the United States Airforce issued Army medals including the good conduct medal up until the early sixties when new distinct medals were issued for air force service. The air force GC medal although maintaining its original design was issued with a new ribbon colour. Early issues had the slot loop suspender.
Not a rare medal to purchase and not expensive but an underrated one as these were issued for someone’s military service over 1 year in wartime or 3 years in peacetime and they not only represent that service but are a reminder of the sacrifice undertaken to serve one’s country. Plus they look damn good!
usmilawards.uk 