C&GS and NOAA Medals

[Guest Darrell]

The Coast & Geodetic Survey (C&GS) + National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

The roots of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) date back to February 1807, when congress authorized a survey of the coast of the United States. At President Jefferson? suggestion, a bureau of Coast Survey was established under the Treasury Department.

In March of 1878 an Act of Congress enlarged the work of the bureau to include earth measurements, or geodetic surveying. The name of the bureau was changed in June 1878 to Coast and Geodetic Survey (C&GS) to reflect it?s increased mission. The Coast and Geodetic Survey was transferred to the Department of Commerce and Labor in 1903 and in 1913 to the Department of Commerce, where it remains to this day.

During WW1, 109 C&GS officers served in the US Army and 131 served in the Navy.

World War 2 saw over 1,000 C&GS personnel join the armed forces, serving as surveyors, hydrographers, engineers, beach masters, navigators, and aeronautical chart-makers.

Throughout the years the mission of the C&GS continued to expand: adding seismology, aeronautical charting, and measuring the earth?s magnetic field. With these additional responsibilities came another name change. The Coast & Geodetic Survey was renamed The Environmental Science Services Administration (ESSA) in 1965. In 1970, Reorganization Plan No. 4 renamed the ESSA the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on 3rd October 1970.

Today the primary mission of NOAA is to explore, map, and chart the ocean and it?s living resources and to manage, use, and monitor and predict conditions in the atmosphere, ocean and space environment; to issue warnings against impending destructive natural events; to assess the impact of inadvertent environmental changes; and to manage and disseminate environmental information. To accomplish it?s mission, NOAA is organized into five Line Organizations; the National Ocean Service (the original Coast and Geodetic Survey); National Weather Service; National Marine Fisheries Service; National Environment Satellite, Data, and Information Service; and Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research.

Despite it?s long history, and close association with the military services, the Coast and Geodetic Survey did not institute any awards or decorations to recognize the service or achievements of its personnel until 1945. Then these were only ?ribbon? awards. Not until 1988, following the adoption of the Merchant Marine Decoration and Medals Act, and the subsequent approval of medal designs to ?accompany the Merchant Marine War Zone Bars? that NOAA revived the original C&GS awards. The medal designs were quickly approved and became available for survivors who were eligible for the World War 2 Coast and Geodetic Survey awards.

After it?s creation in 1970, NOAA also began to develop a system of medals and ribbons to recognize the achievements and service of its officers.

**Background information Courtesy of ?Call of Duty? 2nd Edition

[Guest Darrell]

Here are the 6 recognized C&GS Medals (Coast and Geodetic Survey).

1. C&GS Distinguished Service Medal

+ Authorized 31 July 1945. Existed in ribbon form only until amended by NOAA Corps Bulletin 880401 that authorized and approved a medal for all recipients of the Distinguished Service Ribbon.

+ The Distinguished Service Medal was authorized for issue to Commissioned Officers, Ship?s Officers, and crewmembers of the Coast and Geodetic Survey (C&GS) for distinguished service or extraordinary achievement, which had a significant impact on the mission of the C&GS. The period of Eligibility extended from 8 September 1939 to 28 April 1952.

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2. C&GS Meritorious Service Medal

+ Authorized 31 July 1945. Existed in ribbon form only until amended by NOAA Corps Bulletin 880401 that authorized and approved a medal for all recipients of the Meritorious Service Ribbon.

+ The Meritorious Service Medal was authorized for issue to Commissioned Officers, Ship?s Officers, and crewmembers of the Coast and Geodetic Survey (C&GS) for highly siginificant achievement or meritorious service that had a major impact on the mission of the C&GS. The period of Eligibility extended from 8 September 1939 to 28 April 1952.

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3. C&GS Good Conduct Medal

+ Authorized 31 July 1945. Existed in ribbon form only until amended by NOAA Corps Bulletin 880401 that authorized and approved a medal for all recipients of the Good Conduct Ribbon.

+ The Good Conduct Medal was authorized for issue to Commissioned Officers, Ship?s Officers, and crewmembers of the Coast and Geodetic Survey (C&GS) for service between 8 September 1939 and 28 April 1952.

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4. C&GS Defense Service Medal

+ To recognize the service of C&GS Officers during the time of limited national emergency, the Coast and Geodetic Survey Defense Service Medal was authorized 31 July 1945. Existed in ribbon form only until amended by NOAA Corps Bulletin 880401 that authorized and approved a medal for all recipients of the Defense Service Ribbon.

+ The Defense Service Medal was authorized for issue to Commissioned Officers, Ship?s Officers, and crewmembers of the Coast and Geodetic Survey (C&GS) for service from 8 August 1939 to 6 December 1941.

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5. C&GS Atlantic War Zone Medal

+ Authorized 31 July 1945. Existed in ribbon form only until amended by NOAA Corps Bulletin 880401 that authorized and approved a medal for all recipients of the Atlantic War Zone Ribbon.

+ The Atlantic War Zone Medal was authorized for issue to Commissioned Officers, Ship?s Officers, and crewmembers of the Coast and Geodetic Survey (C&GS) for service in the Atlantic War Zone during the period from 7 December 1941 to 8 November 1945.

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6. C&GS Pacific War Zone Medal

+ Authorized 31 July 1945. Existed in ribbon form only until amended by NOAA Corps Bulletin 880401 that authorized and approved a medal for all recipients of the Pacific War Zone Ribbon.

+ The Pacific War Zone Medal was authorized for issue to Commissioned Officers, Ship?s Officers, and crewmembers of the Coast and Geodetic Survey (C&GS) for service in the Pacific War Zone during the period from 7 December 1941 to 8 November 1945.

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NOAA Medals coming soon.

[Guest Darrell]

As promised here are the 4 known NOAA Medal awards.

[Guest Darrell]

1. NOAA Administrator?s Award Medal

+ Established 01 October 1985.

+ Awarded to any employee of NOAA, however, only members of the NOAA Corps receive the medal and ribbon bar. The Administrator?s Award is intended to recognize exceptional achievement, service, leadership, or professional achievement. The medal may also be awarded for heroic acts or service that reflect the preservation of life or property.

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2. NOAA Corps Commendation Medal

+ Established on 01 October 1985.

+ Created to recognize meritorious or outstanding service, achievement or leadership that does not warrant award of the NOAA Administrator?s Award Medal. Any member of the NOAA Corps or a member of another uniformed service who is detailed, assigned or attached to NOAA is eligible for award of the NOAA Corps Commendation Medal.

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3. NOAA Special Achievement Award Medal

+ Established 01 October 1985

+ Created to recognize meritorious or superior service, achievement or leadership that does not warrant award of the NOAA Corps Commendation Medal. Any member of the NOAA Corps or a member of another uniformed service who is detailed, assigned or attached to NOAA is eligible for award of the NOAA Special Achievement Award Medal. Only members of the NOAA Corps or members of other uniformed services are awarded the medal and ribbon bar, however the honour is the same.

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4. NOAA ACO Awards Medal

The NOAA Association of Commissioned Officers Awards Medal is presented to those NOAA Corps personnel selected by the ACO to receive recognition in three areas; Junior Officer of the Year (Lieutenant Commander or below), Scientific Achievement, and Engineering Achievement.

Recipients for ACO awards are selected by a board composed of selected ACO members. When awarded for Scientific Achievement, the NOAA ACO Awards Medal is worn with a ?Silver S? on the service and suspension ribbons. When awarded for Engineering Achievement the medals is worn with a ?Silver E?. Both the ?Silver S? and the ?Silver E? are block letters with serifs at the end of their members, identical to those worn on the Navy and Coast Guard marksmanship ribbons.

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5. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - Association of Commissioned Officers - Scientific Achievement Award Medal

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