1. Description: A bronze medal, 1 1/4 inches in diameter, with an eagle, wings
spread, standing on a closed book and sword, encircled by the words "EFFICIENCY HONOR FIDELITY". On the reverse is a five-pointed
star and a scroll between the words "FOR GOOD" and "CONDUCT", surrounded by a wreath formed by a laurel branch on the left
and an oak branch on the right. Clasps are placed on the ribbon to represent subsequent awards.
2. Ribbon: A 1 3/8 inches ribbon consisting of
the following stripes: 1/16 inch Soldier Red 67157; 1/16 inch White 67101; 1/16 inch Soldier Red; 1/16 inch White; 1/16 inch
Soldier Red; 1/16 inch White; center 5/8 inch Soldier Red; 1/16 inch White; 1/16 inch Soldier Red; 1/16 inch White; 1/16 inch
Soldier Red; 1/16 inch White; and 1/16 inch Soldier Red.
3. Criteria: a. 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 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. The immediate commander must approve the award and the award must be announced
in permanent orders.
b. Effective 1 September 1982, Active Guard Reserve personnel became
eligible for award of the Good Conduct Medal. For Active Guard Reserve personnel, the Good Conduct Medal qualification period
may commence at a time during the three years immediately preceding the 1 September 1982 effective date, provided no portion
of service for the Good Conduct Medal is included in a period of service for which the Army Reserve Components Achievement
Medal was awarded.
4. Components: The following are authorized components:
a. Medal (regular size): MIL-DTL-3943/191. NSN 8455-00-269-5761 for
set which includes regular size medal and ribbon bar.
b. Medal (miniature size): MIL-DTL-3943/191. Commercially available
from certified manufacturers.
c. Ribbon: MIL-DTL-11589/68. NSN 8455-00-257-0571. Commercially available
from certified manufacturers.
d. Lapel Button (metal replica of ribbon):
MIL-DTL-11484/48. Commercially available from certified manufacturers.
5. Background: a. The Good Conduct Medal was established
by Executive Order 8809, dated 28 June 1941, and authorized the award for soldiers completing three years active service after
that date. The criteria was amended by Executive Order 9323, dated 31 March 1943, to authorize award for three years service
after 7 December 1941 or one year service while the United States is at war. Executive Order 10444, dated 10 April 1953, revised
the criteria to authorize award for three years service after 27 August 1940; one year service after 7 December 1941 while
the United States is at war; and award for the first award for service after 27 June 1950 upon termination of service, for
periods less than three years, but more than one year.
b. The medal was designed by Mr. Joseph Kiselewski and approved by
the Secretary of War on 30 October 1942. The eagle, with wings spread, denotes vigilance and superiority. The horizontal sword
denotes loyalty, and the book represents knowledge acquired and ability gained. On the reverse, the lone star denotes merit.
The wreath of laurel and oak leaves denotes reward and strength.
c. The second and subsequent awards are indicated by the wear of the
clasp with loop on the ribbon. Bronze clasps indicate the second (two loops) through fifth award (five loops); silver clasps
indicate sixth (one loop) through tenth award (five loops); and gold clasps indicate eleventh (one loop) through the fifteenth
award (5 loops).
