The Army Good Conduct Medal was established by Executive Order 8809, dated
28 June 1941, and authorized the award for soldiers completing three
years active service after that date. The criteria was amended by
Executive Order 9323, dated 31 March 1943, to authorize award for three
years service after 7 December 1941 or one year service while the United
States is at war. Executive Order 10444, dated 10 April 1953, revised
the criteria to authorize award for three years service after 27 August
1940; one year service after 7 December 1941 while the United States is
at war; and award for the first award for service after 27 June 1950
upon termination of service, for periods less than three years, but more
than one year.
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 (5 loops).
