The Merchant Marine Meritorious Service Medal is a decoration of the United States Merchant Marine. It is awarded to any seamen of any ship operated by or for the War Shipping Administration who is commended by the Administrator for conduct or service of a meritorious nature, but not sufficient to warrant the Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal. Regulations state that not more than one medal shall be issued to any one seaman, but for each succeeding instance sufficient to justify the award of a medal, there will be awarded a suitable insignia to be worn with the medal.
| Merchant Marine Meritorious Service Medal | |
|---|---|
Obverse and reverse of the medal
| |
| Type | Individual Award |
| Awarded for | Conduct of a meritorious nature, but not sufficient to warrant the Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal |
| Presented by | United States Maritime Administration |
| Status | Still issued |
| Established | Executive Order 9472, August 29, 1944 (as amended by E.O. 9692, Feb. 5, 1946); |
| Total | 521 |
Merchant Marine Meritorious Service ribbon
| |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal |
| Next (lower) | Merchant Marine Gallant Ship Citation Ribbon |
As the Merchant Marine Meritorious Service Medal is considered a federal service decoration, it may be worn on the uniforms of active, reserve, and retired uniformed service members.
Designed by Paul Manship, subsequent awards of the medal are represented by 5/16th inch gold stars affixed to both the suspension ribbon and the ribbon bar.