DescriptionArmy-Good-Conduct-Medal-Obv.png	Army Good Conduct Medal Obverse
Date	28 June 1941
Source	United States Army Institute of Heraldry
Author	Joseph Kiselewski
Permission (Reusing this file)	Public domainPublic domainfalsefalse This image shows a flag, a coat of arms, a seal or some other official insignia produced by the United States Army Institute of Heraldry. It is in the public domain but its use is restricted by Title 18, United States Code, Section 704 [1] and the Code of Federal Regulations (32 CFR, Part 507) [2], [3]. Permission to use these images in the USA for most commercial purposes must be obtained from The Institute of Heraldry prior to their use. Deutsch ∙ English ∙ فارسی ∙ 日本語 ∙ русский ∙ +/− - US Army Institute Of Heraldry
Other versions

• 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.

• A 1 3/8 inches ribbon consisting of the following stripes:

1. 1/16 inch Soldier Red 67157;
2. 1/16 inch White 67101;
3. 1/16 inch Soldier Red;
4. 1/16 inch White;
5. 1/16 inch Soldier Red;
6. 1/16 inch White;
7. center 5/8 inch Soldier Red;
8. 1/16 inch White;
9. 1/16 inch Soldier Red;
10. 1/16 inch White;
11. 1/16 inch Soldier Red;
12. 1/16 inch White;
13. 1/16 inch Soldier Red.

• The following are authorized components:

1. Medal (regular size): MIL-DTL-3943/191. NSN 8455-00-269-5761 for set which includes regular size medal and ribbon bar.
2. Medal (miniature size): MIL-DTL-3943/191. Commercially available from certified manufacturers.
3. Ribbon: MIL-DTL-11589/68. NSN 8455-00-257-0571. Commercially available from certified manufacturers.
4. Lapel Button (metal replica of ribbon): MIL-DTL-11484/48. Commercially available from certified manufacturers.

The Good Conduct Medal was established by Executive Order 8809, dated 1941-06-28, and authorized the award for soldiers completing three years active service after that date.

The criteria was amended by Executive Order 9323, dated 1943-03-31, to authorize award for three years service after 1941-12-07 or one year service while the United States is at war.

Executive Order 10444, dated 1953-04-10, revised the criteria to authorize award for three years service after 1940-08-27; one year service after 7 December 1941 while the United States is at war; and award for the first award for service after 1950-06-27 upon termination of service, for periods less than three years, but more than one year.

• The medal was designed by Mr. Joseph Kiselewski and approved by the Secretary of War on 1942-10-30.

The eagle, with wings spread, denotes vigilance and superiority.

The horizontal sword denotes loyalty,

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.

• 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 (five loops).

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 1940-08-27 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.

Effective 1982-09-01, Active Guard and Reserve personnel became eligible for award of the Good Conduct Medal. For Active Guard and Reserve personnel, the Good Conduct Medal qualification period may commence at a time during the three years immediately preceding the 1982-09-01 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.