Good Conduct	Good Conduct with Additional Awards Courtesy: Jay Graybeal	Good Conduct (Reverse 1940) Courtesy: Jay Graybeal

The Navy first authorized an honorable discharge badge for sailors that honorably completed an enlistment on April 26, 1867. Originally this was a cloth fouled anchor worn on the left sleeve, but in 1869 was changed to a Maltese cross medal. The award has gone through several other changes in design and name. The World War Two version is pictured above. An engraved bar was worn on the ribbon and stars on the ribbon bar to indicate additional enlistments. The back was engraved with the sailor's name and the year of the first award. In 1941 wartime realities forced the Navy to discontinue engraving. On July 8,1942 Bureau of Personnel Circular Letter No. 97-42 discontinued the issuing of actual Good Conduct medals for the duration of the war. Sailors still received the award on paper and the ribbon bar.