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Part 3 - Special and Commemorative Medals

PART III
Special and Commemorative Medals
1. Special Medals 27
  (1) Reserve Special Commendation Ribbon 27
  (2) Naval Reserve Medal 27
  (3) Armed Forces Reserve Medal 27
  (4) Organized Marine Corps Reserve Medal 28
  (5) Marine Corps Reserve Ribbon 29
  (6) Good Conduct Medal 29
  (a) Navy (with chart) 29
  (b) Marine Corps 32
  (c) Coast Guard 34
  (7) Philippine Defense Ribbon 35
  (8) Philippine Liberation Ribbon 35
  (9) Philippine Independence Ribbon 35
  (10) Medal for Humane Action 35
  (11) Gunnery Medals 36
  (a) Edward Trenchard Medal 36
  (b) Knox Gun-Pointer Medal 36
  (c) Small Arms Medals and Badges 36
2. Commemorative Medals 36
  (1) Dewey Medal (Commemorating the Battle of Manila Bay) 36
  (2) Sampson Medal (Commemorating Naval Engagements in the West Indies) 36
  (3) Peary Polar Expedition Medal (1908-09) 36
  (4) NC-4 Medal (Commemorating the First Transatlantic Flight in the U.S. Naval Flying Boat "NC-4" in May 1919) 36
  (5) Byrd Antarctic Expedition Medal (1928-30) 36
  (6) Second Byrd Antarctic Expedition (1933-35) 36
  (7) United States Antarctic Expedition (1939-41) 37

Part III. SPECIAL AND COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS

Section 1. SPECIAL MEDALS

1. RESERVE SPECIAL COMMENDATION RIBBON

1. The Secretary of the Navy on 16 April 1946 established the Reserve Special Commendation Ribbon (no medal involved). The award will be made to those officers of the Organized Reserve who have officially commanded in a meritorious manner for a period of 4 years between 1 January 1930 and 7 December 1941, an organized battalion, squadron, or separate division (not part of a battalion) of the Naval Reserve, or an organized battalion or squadron of the Marine Corps Reserve, and have had a total service in the Reserve of not less than 10 years. The 4-year period need not be continuous, but officers must have been regularly assigned to command such units for a total of 4 years. As the designation "Fleet Reserve" was changed to "Organized Reserve" as of 1 July 1938, command under either designation will qualify.

2. NAVAL RESERVE MEDAL

1. The Secretary of the Navy on 12 Sept. 1938 established the Naval Reserve Medal to be issued by the Chief of Naval Personnel to officers and enlisted personnel of the Naval Reserve who have completed 10 full years of satisfactory federal service as defined by Public Law 810, 80th Congress, as amended.

2. Service in the Marine Corps Reserve may be counted towards establishing eligibility for the Naval Reserve Medal if the applicant has been appointed or enlisted in the Naval Reserve within 3 months of separation from the Marine Corps Reserve, and provided that such reservist has not been awarded a Marine Corps Reserve Medal based on any portion of the time included in his application for the Naval Reserve Medal.

3. For each additional 10 years of qualifying service the Chief of Naval Personnel will, on request, authorize the wearing of a bronze star on the ribbon.

4. All honorable service, active or inactive, as a member of the Naval Reserve prior to 1 July 1950 may be counted for qualifying purposes.

5. After 30 June 1950, in order to achieve a year of satisfactory federal service for the Naval Reserve Medal, as defined in Public Law 810, 80th Congress, as amended, a Naval Reservist must accumulate during each anniversary year a total of fifty (50) retirement points by one of the methods heretofore set forth or by any combination thereof, and the points will be credited on the following basis:

a. One point for each authorized drill period in an organized or volunteer unit.

b. One point for each period of appropriate duty, or equivalent instruction, or equivalent duty.

c. One point for each day of training duty, served with or without pay.

d. One point for each day of active duty.

e. A varying number of points for completion of each correspondence course.

f. Fifteen (15) gratuitous points are automatically credited annually to all Naval Reservists by virtue of their membership in the Naval Reserve, regardless of their participation in any of the Naval Reserve training programs; provided, that they are not on active duty, the Inactive-Status or the Honorary Retired List of the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve.

An anniversary year commences on 1 July and ends the following 30 June.

6. Credit may be accrued toward the Naval Reserve Medal on either active or inactive duty, and the required 10 years need not be continuous. Service in a regular component of the armed forces shall not be creditable. Service on either the Honorary Retired List of the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve or the Inactive-Status List shall not be deemed to be federal service for this purpose.

7. The Naval Reserve Medal will not be awarded for any service after 12 September 1958.

8.

a. Applications will be submitted individually in letter form to the Chief of Naval Personnel (Pers-B4 for officers and Pers-E3 for enlisted personnel) via commanding officers or district commandants as appropriate. Such applications will indicate the date the individual first enlisted in the Naval Reserve or accepted his oath of office in the Naval Reserve and will show any periods of broken service. The base pay entry date is not acceptable. Applications will not be submitted prior to date of eligibility.

b. Commanding officers and district commandants shall forward direct to this Bureau all requests from enlisted personnel, and requests from officers who have served continuously on active duty since 1 July 1950. Requests from officers which are based on other than continuous active service as noted above shall be forwarded to this Bureau via the Officer-in-Charge, U. S. Naval Reserve Office Performance Recording Activity, Omaha 1, Nebr., who will include a tabulation of points earned in his endorsement.

3. ARMED FORCES RESERVE MEDAL

1. Executive Order No. 10163 of 25 September 1950, as amended by Executive Order No. 10439 of 19 March 1953, established the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with accompanying appurtenances and devices, for award to members and former members

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of the Reserve components of the Armed Forces of the United States.

2. The Armed Forces Reserve Medal may be awarded by the Chief of Naval Personnel or by the Commandant of the Marine Corps to any officer or enlisted member or former member of the Reserve components who completes or has completed a total of 10 years of honorable satisfactory service in one or more of the Reserve components that are enumerated in title III, section 306 (c), of Public Law 810, 80th Congress: Provided, (a) That such 10 years of service is, or has been, performed within a period of 12 consecutive years, (b) that such service shall not include service in a Regular component of the Armed Forces, including the Coast Guard, but (1) service in a Reserve component which is concurrent, in whole or in part, with service in a Regular component of the Armed Forces shall be included in computing the required 10 years of Reserve service, and (2) any period of time during which Reserve service is interrupted by service in a Regular component of the Armed Forces shall be excluded in computing, and shall not be considered a break in the said period of 12 consecutive years, and (c) that such service shall not include service for which the Naval Reserve Medal or the Marine Corps Reserve Medal has been, or may be, awarded: And further provided, That any medal awarded hereunder shall be of the design distinctive of the Reserve component in which the person to whom it is awarded is serving at the time of the award or in which such person last served.

3. All honorable service, active or inactive, as a member of a Reserve component prior to 1 July 1949 may be counted for qualifying purposes. All service subsequent to 30 June 1949 must meet the requirements set forth below.

4. After 30 June 1949 in order to achieve a year of satisfactory federal service as defined in Public Law 810, 80th Congress, as amended, a Naval Reservist must accumulate during each anniversary year a total of fifty (50) retirement points by one of the methods heretofore set forth or by any combination thereof, and the points will be credited on the following basis:

a. One point for each authorized drill period in an organized or volunteer unit.

b. One point for each period of appropriate duty, or equivalent instruction, or equivalent duty.

c. One point for each day of training duty, served with or without pay.

d. One point for each day of active duty.

e. A varying number of points for completion of each correspondence course.

f. Fifteen (15) gratuitous points are automatically credited annually to all Naval Reservists by virtue of their membership in the Naval Reserve, regardless of their participation in any of the Naval Reserve training programs: Provided, That they are not on active duty, the Inactive-Status or the Honorary Retired List of the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve.

An anniversary year commences on 1 July and ends the following 30 June.

5. Not more than one Armed Forces Reserve Medal may be awarded to any one person, but for each succeeding 10-year period of service as above described an Hour Glass device with a Roman numeral X superimposed thereon will be awarded on request.

6. A member of a Naval or Marine Corps Reserve component who is eligible to receive a Naval Reserve Medal or Marine Corps Reserve Ribbon may at his election be awarded, in lieu of such medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal.

7. The Naval Reserve Medal terminates on 12 September 1958 and the Marine Corps Reserve Ribbon terminates on 17 December 1965. The Armed Forces Reserve Medal shall be awarded in lieu of the above when any 10-year period expires subsequent to the termination dates.

8. Credit may be accrued toward the Armed Forces Reserve Medal on either active or inactive duty. Service on either the Honorary Retired List of the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve or the Inactive Status List shall not be deemed to be federal service for this purpose.

9.

a. Applications will be submitted individually in letter form to the Chief of Naval Personnel (Pers-B4 for officers and Pers-E3 for enlisted personnel), Commandant, Marine Corps, as applicable, via commanding officers or district commandants as appropriate, will indicate the date the individual first enlisted in the Reserve Component or accepted his oath of office in the Reserve and will show any periods of broken service. The base pay entry date is not acceptable. Applications will not be submitted prior to date of eligibility.

b. Commanding officers and district commandants shall forward direct to this Bureau or Commandant, Marine Corps all requests from enlisted personnel, and requests from officers who have served continuously on active duty in the Reserve since 1 July 1950. Requests from Naval officers which are based on other than continuous active service as noted above shall be forwarded to this Bureau via the Officer-in-Charge, U. S. Naval Reserve Office Performance Recording Activity, Omaha 11, Nebr., who will include a tabulation of points earned in his endorsement.

4. ORGANIZED MARINE CORPS RESERVE MEDAL

1. The Organized Marine Corps Reserve Medal will be awarded to all officers and men for service in the Marine Corps Reserve subsequent to 1 July 1925; provided that, within any 4-year period of service, computed from the date of assignment or reassignment to the Organized Marine Corps Reserve, or the quadrennial anniversary date thereof, they meet the following requirements:

a. Have attended with an organized unit of the Reserve, four annual field training periods of not less than fourteen days each; and

b. Have attended with an organized unit of the Reserve, 80 percent of all scheduled drills each year, for four consecutive years. Appropriate duty,

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equivalent instruction or duty, may be credited in lieu of drills; and

c. Have, in the case of officers, received no unsatisfactory fitness reports; or, in the case of enlisted men, have been awarded an average service record marking of not less than 4.5.

d. A bronze star, to be worn on the ribbon of the Organized Marine Corps Reserve Medal, will be issued for each subsequent qualification earned, in accordance with the above requirements.

e. Members of the Organized Marine Corps Reserve, when called to active duty in time of war or national emergency, may be credited while on active duty with the annual field training and required attendance to drills, when they have served not less than 1 month on active duty during each qualification year. Such active service may be credited only for the purpose of qualification for the medal or bronze star toward which the reservist was working at the time of mobilization. When his 4-year period is completed, active duty subsequently performed may not be credited toward the issuance of a medal or star. If the period of active duty is of such duration that the reservist is ordered to inactive status prior to completion of his 4-year period, the time spent on active duty may be credited toward the award of medal or star, but credit for active duty will not be allowed for any 4-year period which began with the reservist on active duty. Once a medal or star is earned after mobilization, the reservist must return to drill and training status before a new qualification period begins.

f. When an officer of the Organized Marine Corps Reserve is unable to attend drill due to his absence from the place of drill, for causes beyond his control, exclusive of sickness, he should request a leave of absence for such period, in order that this absence from the regular drill period will not count against his record of attendance for promotion and eligibility for the Organized Marine Corps Reserve Medal. (SecNav 19 Feb. 1939).

5. MARINE CORPS RESERVE RIBBON (NO MEDAL INVOLVED)

1. The Marine Corps Reserve Ribbon will be awarded by the Commandant of the Marine Corps to any member of the Marine Corps Reserve who completes or has completed 10 years' honorable service in any class or combination of classes of the Marine Corps Reserve, and whose subsequent service, if any, is satisfactory, except as noted in paragraphs 2 and 3 below.

2. Service on active duty, except training duty and duty during a national emergency or war, and service by which a reservist qualifies or has qualified for the Organized Marine Corps Reserve Medal, may not be counted in computing the 10 years required to qualify for the Marine Corps Reserve Ribbon.

3. No person will be eligible for the Marine Corps Reserve Ribbon who was a member of the Marine Corps Reserve in time of war and who did not serve on active duty during the course of the war.

4. For each additional award for 10 years of such honorable service, a bronze star may be worn on the Marine Corps Reserve Ribbon. (SecNav 17 Dec. 1945)

6. GOOD CONDUCT MEDALS (NAVY, MARINE CORPS, AND COAST GUARD)

(A) NAVY GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL

1. The Good Conduct award, first a badge, and later a medal, was established by the Secretary of the Navy on 26 April 1869 to recognize service which is above average in conduct and proficiency. Various changes have been made from time to time in the governing conditions regarding length of service, marks, and recommendations.

2. General instructions concerning the authorization and issuance of Good Conduct awards for current enlistments:

a. When necessary information can be substantiated from current service records, and requirements have been fulfilled, commanding officers will authorize the wearing of the ribbon bar and of the bronze stars. When sufficient information is not locally available, recommendations for the awards showing the following information shall be submitted to the Chief of Naval Personnel: all quarterly marks assigned in conduct and in proficiency in rate or rating for the current enlistment; a statement showing whether the current enlistment record contains any report of disciplinary action or sick misconduct. If such is shown, indicate the offense, action taken and inclusive dates.

b. Good Conduct Medals will be issued by the Chief of Naval Personnel, and requests for the issuance of the medal will be submitted to the Bureau of Naval Personnel (Pers-E3). Clasps for subsequent awards will no longer be issued nor authorized. Clasps previously received will be retained by the individuals to whom issued, but will not be worn on the suspension ribbon of the medal. Bronze stars for subsequent awards will not be issued by the Bureau of Naval Personnel, but may be purchased from shops selling military supplies.

c. When an award has been issued or authorized, appropriate entries will be made on page 13 of the service record.

3. Eligibility requirements for active service terminating prior to 1 July 1931:

Service requirements:

a. Prior to 3 March 1899, for second enlistment under continuous service.

b. From 3 March 1899 to 28 September 1914, both dates inclusive, for 8 years continuous service. From 27 August 1912 to 28 September 1914, first enlistments terminating during this period.

c. From 29 September 1914 through 30 June 1921:

1. For a second or subsequent enlistment, provided a prior enlistment was terminated with honorable discharge by reason of expiration of enlistment. Continuous service is not required.

2. For a second enlistment changed to duration of war; and for an extension of 4 years (or extensions aggregating 4 years) changed to duration of war

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provided a prior enlistment shall have been terminated with honorable discharge, and further provided that said extension shall have been an extension of an enlistment ending between 3 February 1917 and 11 November 1918.

3. For an honorable discharge from not less than 2 years' service in the Regular Navy, following transfer from the United States Naval Reserve Force, for the purpose of completion in the Regular Navy of the period of enrollment, provided that a prior enlistment shall have been terminated with honorable discharge. Continuous service is not required.

4. For an extension of 4 years or extensions aggregating 4 years, provided basic enlistment would have been terminated with honorable discharge.

d. From 1 July 1921 to 30 June 1931:

1. For a first enlistment or for minority enlistment, provided the enlistment is extended or upon reenlistment within 3 months.

2. For first enlistment if honorably discharged from service begun in the Naval Reserve Force, and continued in the Regular Navy by transfer, provided the service in the Navy is of not less than 2 years' duration and that reenlistment is under continuous service.

3. For a second or subsequent enlistment, previous enlistment having terminated with honorable discharge. Continuous service is not necessary.

4. Upon discharge from an extension of 4 years (or a total of 4 years) of a first or other enlistment, provided basic enlistment would have terminated with an honorable discharge.

5. For a constructive enlistment of 4 years (or 3 years and 9 months) active duty begun in the Regular Navy and continued in the Naval Reserve (class F3, F4, or F5) or where a retired man is recalled and completes not less than 3 years and 9 months active duty.

e. Good Conduct awards are made to those who enlisted or who reenlisted on or after 7 April 1917, upon the date of the execution of oath of first permanent commission or warrant in the Navy or those officers who shall have served a total of not less than 3 years and 9 months in enlisted and either commissioned or warrant status.

Conduct requirements for all of above periods: Clear record (no offense or qualifying remarks entered in service record). No person shall be deprived of a medal or clasp because of disciplinary action taken prior or subsequent to one of the above periods, except by conviction for an offense committed in a prior enlistment in which a medal or clasp had been previously held to have been earned but not bestowed.

Proficiency requirements for all of above periods: Marks and recommendations in effect for specific period.

4. From 1 July 1931 to 14 August 1945:

Service requirements:

a. Regular Navy personnel:

1. For a first enlistment or minority enlistment, and if extended for 2 years, the last 4 years in lieu thereof, may be considered, provided the first period of service would have terminated with an honorable discharge.

2. For a second or subsequent enlistment or extensions of 3 or 4 years.

3. For a total of 4 years served in extensions of an enlistment.

4. In a 6-year enlistment, for the first 3 years and also for the remaining period of the enlistment, provided the enlistment terminated with an honorable discharge.

5. Service in extensions of 1 or 2 years (except as indicated in pars. 1 and 3 above) or for enlistments terminated prior to expiration (except when discharged for convenience of the Government within 3 months of expiration of enlistment) will not be considered for Good Conduct awards.

b. Naval reservists and inductees: Three years continuous active service in time of national emergency or war.

Conduct requirements: A clear record (no offense or qualifying remarks entered in service record). No person shall be deprived of a medal or clasp because of disciplinary action taken prior or subsequent to one of the above periods, except by conviction for an offense committed in a prior enlistment in which a medal or clasp had been previously held to have been earned but not bestowed.

Proficiency requirement: Average of 3.5.

5. Eligibility requirements for active service terminating on or after 15 August 1945:

Service requirements: Any 3 years of continuous active service as an enlisted person in the Regular Navy, Naval Reserve, or as an inductee. An enlisted man appointed a temporary warrant or commissioned officer under the provisions of Public Law 188, 77th Congress (dual-status personnel), may include such temporary service upon reverting to an enlisted status for any purpose (including for discharge to accept appointment as permanent officer) in computing total service toward eligibility for a Good Conduct award. Except as provided above, service in either warrant or commissioned status may not be included in computing time served but will not be considered as an interruption in computing enlisted service. Service performed in temporary warrant or commissioned status under Public Law 188, 77th Congress, will be considered to have fulfilled the conduct and proficiency in rating requirements for the Good Conduct award provided the individual concerned has not received one or more of the following in any 3-year period: General court martial; letter of censure; suspension from duty which is entered on fitness report or by copy of letter to the Bureau of Naval Personnel; private reprimand which is noted on fitness report or by letter to the Bureau of Naval Personnel; unsatisfactory fitness report; resignation to escape trial by general court martial; resignation for the good of the service; reversion in rank for disciplinary reasons; release to inactive duty for disciplinary reasons.

Conduct requirements: Within the above 3-year period, no convictions by courts-martial including

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deck court, not more than one lesser offense, no sick misconduct, no mark in conduct less than 3.0, and an average mark in conduct of not less than 3.8. No person shall be deprived of a medal because of disciplinary action taken prior or subsequent to this 3-year period. When a person is convicted by general court-martial, a new 3-year period shall begin with the date of restoration to duty, even though on a probationary basis; if convicted by a deck court, special or summary court-martial, with the date of approval of sentence by the officer exercising supervisory authority. The date of commission of an offense tried by court-martial will be considered as the date on which the period ends. If the service record contains a mast or nonjudicial punishment with a mark less than 3.0, the date of the mast or nonjudicial punishment, rather than the date of the mark, is the beginning date of the new 3-year period. (If the date of the mast or nonjudicial punishment is not shown, the date of the offense is the beginning date of the new 3-year period.

Proficiency requirement: Average of 3.5.

The following chart is a resume of regulations governing the award of the Navy Good Conduct Medal for the periods shown.

REGULATIONS GOVERNING AWARD OF NAVY GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL
Period
For service terminating -
Service Conduct Proficiency
Prior to 3 Mar 1899 For second enlistment under continuous service Clear record (no offense or qualifying remarks entered in service record). Marks and recommendations in effect for specific period.
3 Mar 1899 to 28 Sept 1914 For 8 years continuous service.

-- do. --

-- Do. --
27 Aug 1912 to 28 Sept 1914 For first enlistments terminating during this period.

-- do. --

-- Do. --
29 Sept 1914 to 30 June 1921 1. For a second or subsequent enlistment, provided a prior enlistment was terminated with honorable discharge by reason of expiration of enlistment. Continuous service is not required. -- do. -- -- Do. --
2. For a second enlistment changed to duration of war; and for an extension of 4 years (or extensions aggregating 4 years) changed to duration of war, provided a prior enlistment shall have been terminated with honorable discharge, and further provided that said extension shall have been an extension of an enlistment ending between 3 Feb 1917 and 11 Nov 1918. -- do. -- -- Do. --
3. For an honorable discharge from not less than 2 years' service in the regular Navy following transfer from the U. S. Naval Reserve Force, for the purpose of completion in the Regular Navy of the period of enrollment, provided a prior enlistment shall have been terminated with honorable discharge. Continuous service is not required. -- do. -- -- Do. --
4. For an extension of 4 years or extensions aggregating 4 years, provided basic enlistment would have been terminated with honorable discharge. -- do. -- -- Do. --
Good Conduct awards are made to those who enlisted or who reenlisted on or after 7 April 1917, upon the date of the execution of oath of first permanent commission or warrant in the Navy or those officers who shall have served a total of not less than 3 years and 9 months in enlisted and either commissioned or warrant status. -- do. -- -- Do. --
1 July 1921 to 30 June 1931 1. For a first enlistment or for minority enlistment, provided the enlistment is extended or upon reenlistment within 3 months. -- do. -- -- Do. --
2. For first enlistment if honorably discharged from service begun in the Naval Reserve Force, and continued in the Regular Navy by transfer, provided the service in the -Navy is of not less than 2 years' duration and that reenlistment is under continuous service. -- do.-- -- Do. --
3. For a second or subsequent enlistment, previous enlistment having terminated with honorable discharge. Continuous service is not necessary. -- do. -- -- Do. --
4. Upon discharge from an extension of 4 years (or a total of 4 years) of a first or other enlistment, provided basic enlistment would have terminated with an honorable discharge. -- do. -- -- Do. --
5. For a constructive enlistment of 4 years (or 3 years and 9 months) active duty begun in the Regular Navy and continued in the Naval Reserve (class F3, F4, or F5) or where a retired man is recalled and completes not less than 3 years and 9 months active duty. -- do. -- -- Do. --
 

 
For Regular Navy Personnel

   
1 July 1931 to 14 Aug 1945 1. For a first enlistment or minority enlistment, and if extended for 2 years, the last 4 years in lieu thereof, may be considered, provided the first period of service would have terminated with an honorable discharge.

Clear record (no offense or qualifying remarks entered into service record).

Average of 3.5
2. For a second or subsequent enlistment or extensions of 3 or 4 years. -- do. -- -- Do. --
3. For a total of 4 years served in extensions of an enlistment. -- do. -- -- Do. --
4. In a 6-year enlistment, for the first 3 years and also for the remaining period of the enlistment, provided the enlistment terminated with an honorable discharge. -- do. -- -- Do. --
5. Service in extensions of 1 or 2 years (except as indicated in pars. 1 and 3 above) or for enlistments terminated prior to expiration (except when discharged for convenience of the Government within 3 months of expiration of enlistment) will not be considered for Good Conduct awards. -- do. -- -- Do. --
   
For Naval Reservists and Inductees
 
Three years of continuous active service in time of national emergency or war.
 
 
 
Clear record (no offense or qualifying remarks entered into service record).
 
 
 
Average of 3.5
15 Aug 1915 to current date. 1. Any 3 years of continuous active service as an enlisted person in the Regular Navy, Naval Reserve, or as an inductee.

1. No convictions by courts-martial, including deck court. (When convicted by general court-martial a new 3-year period shall begin with the date of restoration to duty, even though on a probationary basis; if convicted by a deck court, special or summary court martial, with the date of approval of sentence by the officer exercising supervisory authority. The date of commission of an offense tried by court-martial will be considered as the date on which the period ends.)

-- Do. --

2. Not more than one lesser offense.

3. No sick misconduct.
4. Average conduct mark 3.8.
5. No conduct mark below 3.0. (If the service record contains a mast or nonjudicial punishment with a mark less than 3.0, the date of the mast or nonjudicial punishment, rather than the date of the mark, is the beginning date of the new 3-year period. If the date of the mast or nonjudicial punishment is not shown, the date of the offense is the beginning date of the new 3-year period.)
2. An enlisted man appointed a temporary warrant or commissioned officer under the provisions of Public Law 188, 77th Congress (dual-status personnel) may include such temporary service upon reverting to an enlisted status for any purpose (including for discharge to accept appointment as permanent officer) in computing total service toward eligibility for a Good Conduct award.

6. Service performed in temporary warrant or commissioned status under Public Law 188, 77th Congress, will be considered to have fulfilled the conduct and proficiency in rating requirements for the Good Conduct award provided the individual concerned has not received one or more of the following in any 3-year period: General court-martial; letter of censure; suspension from duty which is entered on fitness report or by copy of letter to the Bureau of Naval Personnel; private reprimand which is noted on fitness report or by letter to the Bureau of Naval Personnel; unsatisfactory fitness report; resignation to escape trial by general court-martial; resignation for the good of the service; reversion in rank for disciplinary reasons; release to inactive duty for disciplinary reasons.

-- Do. --
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(B) MARINE CORPS GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL

The Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal was inaugurated by Special Order No. 49 dated 20 July 1896, quoted below:

The following rules will be observed in the award of badges for good conduct to enlisted men of the United States Marine Corps:

That any man holding an excellent discharge shall, upon reenlistment, when recommended by the commanding officer of a ship, or the commanding officer of marines at a shore station, and a board of three officers ordered by the Colonel Commandant, United States Marine Corps, receive a Good Conduct Medal. Only those men who are distinguished for obedience, sobriety, industry, courage, neatness, and proficiency shall be recommended for Good Conduct Medals.

A person who has received one medal will, if subsequently recommended, be given a bar of appropriate design. Medals and bars shall be furnished by the Quartermaster, United States Marine Corps, and issued by the Colonel Commandant, United States Marine Corps.

Bars shall be worn above the medal on the same ribbon, the first one being placed below the clasp and showing one-fourth of an inch of ribbon between; following ones to be the same distance below the first.

Good Conduct Medals are given in recognition of good behavior and faithful service, and no person shall be deprived of them, or of the advantages attached to them, except by the sentence of a general court martial. The commanding officer may, however, forbid the wearing of medals by any person undergoing punishment or restriction of privileges.

Men in service at the date of issue of this order who have reenlisted after receiving an excellent discharge in the enlistment preceding the present one, and are recommended for Good Conduct Medals as prescribed above, will be entitled to the same.

The above regulations were amended by changes and the cessation of hostilities on 11 November 1918, so as to provide for the award of the medal or bar on discharge instead of upon reenlistment.

On 13 January 1920, the Secretary of the Navy authorized the award of the Good Conduct Insignia to men who enlisted after 6 April 1917, for the duration of World War I and were discharged subsequent to the signing of the armistice and the cessation of hostilities on 11 November 1918.

On 3 December 1920, the Secretary of the Navy authorized the award of the Good Conduct Insignia to men who enlisted after 7 April 1917, who served during World War I and were discharged upon report of medical survey, incurred in the line of duty, prior to 11 November 1918.

On 2 March 1921, the Secretary of the Navy authorized the award of the Good Conduct Insignia to members of the Marine Corps Reserve who during the period 6 April 1917, and 11 November 1918, performed active service in enlisted grades (this included women of the Marine Corps Reserve).

On 25 October 1921, the Secretary of the Navy authorized the award of the Good Conduct Insignia to those who enlisted prior to World War I for a period of 4 years and were discharged upon report of

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medical survey for disability incurred in the line of duty, or were so discharged by reason of wounds received in action against the enemy, such or other disability being the proximate result of the prosecution of the war.

In 1921 the regulations were amended as follows: Chapter 10, MCM, article 1003:

1. Good Conduct Medals - A marine who has completed 4 years' continuous service including service on extended enlistments and on reenlistments within 4 months of discharge, with markings entitling him to character excellent if discharged, who is distinguished for obedience, sobriety, industry, courage, cleanliness, and proficiency, and who is recommended therefore by his commanding officer, may be awarded a Good Conduct Medal, or a Good Conduct Bar if he is in possession of a medal. Awards for periods of less than 4 years' service will be discontinued, except for men now (December 31, 1921) in the service while in their present enlistment.

On 7 August 1925, the Commandant of the Marine Corps issued Circular Letter No. 31 to all officers concerning the following changes:

1. Good Conduct Medals - When a man Is discharged upon the expiration of his first enlistment with a final average marking of 4.6 or over for military efficiency, obedience, and sobriety, and is recommended therefore by his commanding officer, he may be awarded a Good Conduct Medal; when a man is discharged upon the expiration of a subsequent enlistment with a final marking of 4.8 or over, and is recommended therefore by his commanding officer, he may be awarded a Good Conduct Medal, or a Good Conduct Bar if he is in possession of a medal.

2. Extension of enlistment - If a man has extended his enlistment, and is discharged during or upon the expiration of such extension, he will likewise be eligible to be considered for a Good Conduct Award.

a. Men discharged after 31 December 1924, and before November 1, 1925, upon expiration of enlistment may be awarded Good Conduct Medals under the regulation in effect on the former date without regard to the completion of a 4-year period of service.

In 1926 the regulations were amended as follows: Chapter 8, MCM, article 9, change No. 4:

1. Eligibility - When a man is discharged upon the expiration of his first enlistment with a final average marking of 4.6 or over for military proficiency, obedience, and sobriety, and is recommended therefore by his commanding officer, he may be awarded a Good Conduct Medal; when a man is discharged upon the expiration of a subsequent enlistment with a final marking of 4.8 or over, and is recommended therefore by his commanding officer, he may be awarded a Good Conduct Medal, or a Good Conduct Bar if he is in possession of a medal. An enlisted man discharged after not less than 2 years' service in his enlistment, to accept a warrant or commission, is eligible for a Good Conduct Award.

2. Extension of enlistment - If a man has extended his enlistment and is discharged, transferred to the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve, or retired during or upon the expiration of such extension, he will likewise be eligible for a Good Conduct Award. If the discharge is upon the expiration of a 4-year extension, or of extensions aggregating 4 years, the man will be eligible for an award for the original enlistment and to an additional award for the extension.

3. Court-martial men not eligible - Ordinarily recommendation for a Good Conduct Medal should not be made in the case of a man who during his current enlistment has been convicted by a court martial, other than a deck court, and whose sentence has been approved by proper authority; but if a recommendation for a Good Conduct Medal is made in such a case, the reasons therefore shall be given over the commanding officer's signature.

In 1931 the regulations were amended as follows: Chapter 8, MCM, article 17, change No. 10:

1. Eligibility - When a man is discharged upon the expiration of his first enlistment with a final average marking of 4.6 or over in obedience and sobriety, and a final average marking of 4.0 or over in military efficiency, neatness and military bearing, and intelligence, and Is recommended therefore by his commanding officer, he may be awarded a Good Conduct Medal. When a man is discharged, transferred to Fleet Marine Corps Reserve or retired, upon the expiration of a subsequent enlistment with a final average marking of 4.8 or over in obedience and sobriety, and a final average marking of 4.0 or over in military efficiency, neatness and military bearing, and intelligence, and is recommended therefore by his commanding officer, he may be awarded a Good Conduct Medal, or a Good Conduct Bar if he is in possession of a medal. An enlisted man discharged with above markings, after not less than 2 years' active service in his enlistment, to accept an appointment in the naval or military service is eligible for a Good Conduct award.

On 5 January 1944, the Secretary of the Navy authorized the award of Good Conduct Insignia to enlisted men of the Marine Corps who served during World War I and were discharged at any time between 6 April 1917, and 11 November 1918, to accept a warrant or commission or appointment in the naval or military academy.

In 1945 the regulations were amended as follows: Chapter 8, MCM, article 43, changes No. 7 and 9:

1. Eligibility - When a regular or reserve is discharged, transferred to Fleet Marine Corps Reserve, retired, or released from active duty, after completion of 4 years' or more active service on his current enlistment he may be awarded a Good Conduct Medal under the following provisions:

a. First enlistment with a final average of 4.8 or over in obedience and sobriety, and a final average marking of 4.0 or over in military efficiency, neatness and military bearing and intelligence and is recommended therefore by his commanding officer.

b. Subsequent enlistments with a final average marking of 4.8 or over in obedience and sobriety and a final average marking of 4.0 or over in military efficiency, neatness and military bearing and intelligence and is recommended therefore by his commanding officer. If in possession of a Good Conduct Medal he will be awarded a bar.

c. An enlisted man discharged with the above markings, after not less than 2 years' active service in his current enlistment, to accept an appointment or commission in the naval or military service !s eligible for a Good Conduct award.

2. Extension of enlistment - If in an extended enlistment and the extensions aggregate 4 years, the man will be eligible for an award for the original enlistment and an additional award for the 4-year extension. Similarly, a reservist will be eligible for an award for each 4 years of active duty on his current enlistment.

In 1947 the regulations were amended as follows: Chapter 8, MCM, article 43, change No. 11:

1. Effective 10 December 1945, and retroactive to current service-record books as of that date, the following regulations will govern the awarding of Good Conduct Medals and Bars.

2. Eligibility - Enlisted personnel, regular or reserve, who have completed 3 years of continuous active service and who meet the following conditions, are eligible for the award of Good Conduct Medals and Bars:

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a. Service - Any 3 years of continuous active service of enlisted personnel, regular or reserve. If reenlisted within a period of 90 days from date of discharge 1t will not be construed as an interruption of continuous service but the period between discharge and reenlistment will not be counted. Time lost as result of conviction of general court martial will not be counted In computing the 3-year period.

b. Periods - Any 3 years of continuous active service regardless of expiration or extensions of enlistments, and any previous or subsequent disciplinary action.

c. Conduct Requirements - No convictions by court martial or deck court and not more than 2 commanding officers punishments, exclusive of excuse accepted. Markings in service-record book not considered under requirement for award.

3. Awards - Commanding officers are authorized to award the Good Conduct Medal or bar with certificate at the time requirements are met for such awards. In making the award. The commanding officer will issue the medal or bar, together with the original certificate, to the person concerned; forward a copy thereof to the Commandant of the Marine Corps and make appropriate entry in the service record book. In the event the commanding officer does not consider the award to the individual justified, he will make appropriate recommendation to the Commandant of the Marine Corps stating the reasons.

4. Commanding officers will requisition supplies of medals and bars from their respective depot of supplies.

On 9 July 1953, the following regulations were approved by the Secretary of the Navy:

Eligibility requirements for Good Conduct awards for active service periods terminating on or after 10 December 1945 are:

1. Any 3 years of continuous active service, regardless of expiration or extension of enlistments, and any previous or subsequent disciplinary action, of enlisted personnel, regular or reserve, including service In temporary warrant or commissioned status and upon approval of application to the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Also if reenlisted within a period of 90 days from date of discharge it will not be construed as an interruption of continuous service but the period between discharge and reenlistment will not be counted. Time lost as result of conviction of general court martial will not be counted in computing the 3-year period.

2. A Good Conduct award shall be authorized for any 3 years' enlisted service consisting of a combination of periods of active service, broken or unbroken, In a war, national emergency or a period of armed hostilities, in which the United States is engaged, notwithstanding the time elapsing between tours of such service, provided the individual is otherwise qualified, and provided further that when the first period of such service terminated prior to 10 December 1945, a total of four years' enlisted service shall be required for such award.

3. No convictions by courts martial and not more than two nonjudicial punishments under article 15, UCMJ. Markings in service record book are not considered under requirements for this award.

COAST GUARD GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL

a. Good Conduct Medals shall be issued for periods of above average enlisted service in the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reserve. Periods of service shall not be affected by reenlistment or extension of enlistment.

b. To qualify for a Good Conduct Medal an enlisted man must have:

1. Conduct marks of 4.0 throughout a four (4) year period of continuous active service expiring between 17 May 1920 and 30 June 1934, inclusive; or

2. Conduct marks of 4.0 throughout a three (3) year period of continuous active service expiring between 1 July 1934 and 30 June 1947, inclusive; or

3. No mark in conduct less than 3.0, an average mark in conduct not less than 3.8, a final average in proficiency rating not less than 3.0 and no conviction by a court martial, for a three (3) year period of continuous active service expiring between 1 July 1947 and 30 June 1953, inclusive.

(aa) However, if part of that three year period of service was performed prior to 1 July 1947, the requirements of section (2) above shall be applicable to such part: or

4. No mark in conduct less than 3.0, an average mark in conduct, not less than 3.8 a final average in proficiency in rating, not less than 3.5, no conviction by a court martial and no more than one (1) nonjudicial punishment under Art. 15, UCMJ, for a three (3) year period of continuous active service expiring after 30 June 1953.

(aa) However, if part of that three year period of service was performed prior to 1 July 1953, the requirements of section (3) above shall be applicable to such part.

c. When an infraction of discipline warrants less than the minimum conduct requirements, creditable time for a good conduct award shall be computed to or from the day of the infraction of discipline, if specified. If that date cannot be determined, creditable time shall be computed to or from the date upon which the low mark was assigned provided there is no lost time due to confinement as the result of a court martial conviction. When a person is convicted by a court martial and sentenced to a period of confinement, the new period of creditable time shall begin with the date of release from confinement, even though such release may be on a probationary basis.

d. If a man's service record has been lost, it shall be assumed, in computing marks for conduct awards, that the man received at least 3.5 in proficiency in rating and at least 3.8 in conduct in the absence of any information to the contrary.

e. Warrant, Chief Warrant, and Commissioned service performed by enlisted men who were temporarily promoted to these ranks is creditable for a good conduct award, provided, the person has reverted to his enlisted status and received no letter of admonition or reprimand, or higher disciplinary action, for any part of such temporary service. Officers discharged from their enlisted status to accept permanent appointment as officers are considered as having reverted to their enlisted status for this purpose.

f. Interrupted service followed by reenlistment within three months of discharge shall be considered as continuous, but time spent out of the service shall not be counted.

g. When the required marks do not appear in a man's service record, his Commanding Officer shall

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request that information from the Commandant (PS).

h.

1. Good Conduct Medals shall be awarded by Commanding Officers to eligible personnel.

2. Each award shall be accompanied by a letter of transmittal in duplicate; the recipient shall retain the original of this letter, and the duplicate, with an endorsement by the recipient indicating receipt of the award, shall be forwarded to the Commandant (PS).

3. Good Conduct Medals shall be engraved at Government expense, chargeable to field allotments, with the recipient's name, the date earned, and the unit at which earned on the reverse in block type.

i. Good Conduct Bar

1. A Good Conduct Bar shall be awarded Coast Guard personnel in lieu of a second or each subsequent Good Conduct Medal earned.

2. Good Conduct Bars shall be engraved, at Government expense chargeable to field allotments, with the name of the unit at which earned on the front of the bar in block type, and the date earned inside the bar in block type. (U. S. Coast Guard Regulations 12-8-25C, 18 June 1952)

7. PHILIPPINE DEFENSE RIBBON (NO MEDAL INVOLVED)

1. The Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines has established the Philippine Defense Ribbon for members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served in the Philippines during the period from 7 December 1941 to 15 June 1942. The President has approved the wearing of this ribbon by personnel of the naval service including the Marine Corps and Coast Guard, and the Secretary of the Navy has authorized all personnel who are eligible under the following rules and regulations to wear this ribbon:

a. If they participated in any engagement against the enemy on Philippine territory, or in Philippine waters, or in the air over the Philippines or over Philippine waters during the period 8 December 1941 to 15 June 1942, or

b. Were assigned or stationed in Philippine territory or in Philippine waters for not less than 30 days during the period from 8 December 1941 to 15 June 1942.

2. Individuals eligible under (a) above are considered as having participated in an engagement if a member of the defense garrison of the Bataan Peninsula, or of the fortified islands at the entrance of Manila Bay, or a member of and present with a unit actually under enemy fire or air attack, or if a crew member or passenger in an airplane which was under enemy aerial or ground fire.

3. Individuals eligible under both (a) and (b) above are entitled to wear one bronze star on the ribbon.

8. PHILIPPINE LIBERATION RIBBON (NO MEDAL INVOLVED)

1. The Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines has established the Philippine Liberation Ribbon for members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served in the Philippines during the period 17 October 1944 to 3 September 1945. The President has approved the wearing of this ribbon by personnel of the naval service including the Marine Corps and Coast Guard, and the Secretary of the Navy has authorized all personnel who are eligible under the following rules and regulations to wear this ribbon:

a. If they participated in the initial landing operations on Leyte and adjoining islands from 17 to 20 October 1944. (An individual will be considered as having participated if he landed on Leyte or adjoining islands, was on a ship in Philippine waters, or was a crew member of an airplane which flew over Philippine territory during such period.)

b. If they participated in any engagement against the enemy during the campaign. (Participation in combat is defined as for the Philippine Defense Ribbon.)

c. If they served in the Philippine Islands or on ships in Philippine waters for not less than 30 days during the period 17 October 1944 to 3 September 1945.

2. Individuals eligible under any two of the above provisions are authorized to wear one bronze star upon the ribbon. Individuals eligible under all three of the above provisions are authorized to wear two bronze stars upon the ribbon.

3. For purpose of establishing eligibility, Philippine waters are defined as follows: East boundary, from the 20th parallel north latitude south along the 130th meridian east longitude to the Equator; west boundary, the east coast of Asia and crossing the Strait of Malacca on the 103d meridian east longitude; north boundary, the 20th parallel north latitude plus the Gulf of Tonking; south boundary, the Equator.

9. PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE RIBBON (NO MEDAL INVOLVED)

1. The President of the Philippines has established a Philippine Independence Ribbon for members of the Armed Forces of the United States to commemorate the attainment of Philippine independence.

2. Only those members of the Armed Forces of the United States who meet the requirements for both the Philippine Defense Ribbon and Philippine Liberation Ribbon, as set forth above for these ribbons, are eligible for the Philippine Independence Ribbon.

3. The President of the United States has approved the wearing of the ribbon by personnel of the naval service, including the Marine Corps and Coast Guard; and the Secretary of the Navy has authorized all such personnel who are eligible under the above requirements to wear the Philippine Independence Ribbon.

10. MEDAL FOR HUMANE ACTION

Executive Order No. 10325 of 7 Feb. 1952, implementing regulations for the award of the Medal for Humane Action established by an act of Congress approved 20 July 1949, provides:

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1. The Medal for Humane Action, with suitable appurtenances and devices, may be awarded on behalf of the President of the United States by the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Navy, and the Secretary of the Air Force under such regulations as they may severally prescribe and subject to the provisions of this order.

2. The Medal for Humane Action may be awarded, as provided in paragraph 1 hereof, to any person who while serving in or with the Armed Forces of the United States at any time during the period commencing on 26 June 1948, and terminating at the close of 30 September 1949, distinguished himself by meritorious participation in the humane military effort to supply necessities of life to the people of Berlin, Germany. Such a person may have been, at the time of such participation, a member of the Armed Forces, or a national of the United States, or a member of the Armed Forces, or a national of any country other than the United States.

3. No person shall be awarded more than one Medal for Humane Action.

4. In the case of any person who shall have died while participating in such humane military effort or as a result of his participation therein, or who is found qualified for the award of the Medal for Humane Action but shall have died without having received such award, the Medal for Humane Action shall be presented to such appropriate representative or next of kin of such person as may be determined pursuant to regulations prescribed by the respective Secretaries.

11. GUNNERY MEDALS

a. Edward Trenchard Medal (Obsolete)

The medal was awarded annually on 1 July to the set of three turret pointers attaining the highest merit for turret guns at short-range battle practice.

b. Knox Gun-Pointer Medal (Obsolete)

The Knox gun-pointer medals were awarded annually by the Knox Trophy Foundation to the set of gun pointers making the highest merit for guns at short-range battle practice.

c. Small Arms Medals and Badges

NAVY
NOTE:
For regulations see Landing Party Manual, chapter 13.

MARINE CORPS
NOTE:
For regulations see Marine Corps Manual, section 20.

Section 2. COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS

1. DEWEY MEDAL (COMMEMORATING THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY)

The act of Congress approved 3 June 1898, provides: "That the Secretary of the Navy be, and he hereby is, authorized to present a sword of honor to Commodore George Dewey, and cause to be struck bronze medals commemorating the Battle of Manila Bay, and to distribute such medals to the officers and men of the ships of the Asiatic Squadron of the United States under the command of Commodore George Dewey on May 1, 1898."

Any person who was attached to one of the following ships on 1 May 1898, is eligible for this medal:

USS Olympia
USRC McCulloch
USS Concord
USS Baltimore
USS Boston
USS Petrel
USS Raleigh

 

2. SAMPSON MEDAL (COMMEMORATING NAVAL ENGAGEMENTS IN THE WEST INDIES)

The act of 3 March 1901, provides: "That the Secretary of the Navy be, and he is hereby, authorized to cause to be struck bronze medals commemorative of the naval and other engagements in the waters of the West Indies and on the shores of Cuba during the War with Spain, and to distribute the same to the officers and men of the Navy and Marine Corps who participated in any of said engagements deemed by him of sufficient importance to deserve commemoration."

3. PEARY POLAR EXPEDITION MEDAL (1908-09)

The act of Congress approved 28 January 1944 provides: "That the Secretary of the Navy be authorized and directed to award in the name of Congress silver medals of an appropriate design to certain individuals in recognition of their efforts and services as members of the Peary Polar Expedition of 1908-09, in the field of science and for the cause of polar exploration, by aiding in the discovery of the North Pole by Admiral Peary."

4. NC-4 MEDAL (COMMEMORATING THE FIRST TRANS-ATLANTIC FLIGHT IN THE U. S. NAVAL FLYING BOAT "NC-4" IN MAY 1919)

The act of Congress approved 9 February 1929, provides: "That the President be, and is hereby, authorized to award, in the name of Congress, gold medals of appropriate design to members of the NC-4 for the extraordinary achievement in making the first successful transatlantic flight in the United States naval flying boat NC-4 in May 1919."

5. BYRD ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION MEDAL (COMMEMORATING THE BYRD ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION OF 1928-30)

The act of Congress, approved 23 May 1930, provides: "That the Secretary of the Navy be, and he is hereby, empowered and directed to cause to be made at the United States Mint such number of gold, silver, and bronze medals as he may deem appropriate and necessary, respectively, to be presented to the officers and men of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition to express the high admiration in which Congress and the American people hold their heroic and undaunted services in connection with the scientific investigations and extraordinary aerial explorations of the Antarctic Continent."

6. SECOND BYRD ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION MEDAL (COMMEMORATING THE SECOND BYRD ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION OF 1933-35)

The act of Congress, approved 2 June 1936, provides: "That the Secretary of the Navy be, and hereby is, directed to cause to be made at the United States Mint such number of silver medals as he may

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deem appropriate and necessary, respectively, to be presented to the deserving personnel of the Second Byrd Antarctic Expedition that spent the winter night at Little America or who commanded either one of the expedition ships throughout the expedition, to express the high admiration in which the Congress and the American people hold their heroic and undaunted accomplishments for science, unequaled in the history of polar exploration."

7. UNITED STATES ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION MEDAL (1939-41)

By an act of Congress, approved 24 September 1945, "the Secretary of the Navy is authorized and directed to award gold, silver, and bronze medals of appropriate design to members of the United States Antarctic Expedition of 1939-41, in recognition of their valuable services to the Nation in the field of polar exploration and science."

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[End of Part III]
Published: Mon Aug 31 14:49:03 EDT 2015