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The China Service Medal was established on August 23, 1940, by Navy Department General Orders Number 135 as amended on January 22, 1947, by ALNAV 25 (further amended on January 28, 1948, by Navy Department General Orders Number 255).

Effective Dates

The China Service Medal was awarded for qualifying service between the inclusive dates of July 7, 1937, and September 7, 1939; and was was subsequently extended to include service rendered between September 2, 1945, to April 1, 1957.

Criteria

The China Service Medal was awarded to Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel who:

-- Served ashore in China or who were attached to any of the vessels that operated in support of the operations in China between July 7, 1937, and September 7, 1939; or who

-- Served ashore in China or were attached to any of the vessels that operated in support of operations in China between September 2, 1945 and April 1, 1957. Military services performed in the Asiatic-Pacific area between September 2, 1945 and March 2, 1946 could be credited for eligibility for the China Service Medal unless the individual was eligible for the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal based on service performed prior to September 2, 1945.

Order of Precedence

The China Service Medal was worn after the Yangtze Service Medal and before the American Defense Service Medal.

Devices

Individuals who received the China Service Medal for service during both periods of eligibility were authorized to wear a bronze star on the ribbon.

First Recipient

The first recipient of the China Service Medal is not known.

Designer

The China Service Medal was designed by George H. Snowden.

Description and Symbolism

Obverse

In the center of a bronze medallion one and a quarter inches in diameter, a Chinese junk in full sail is shown upon scroll waves; the junk is encircled by the words CHINA SERVICE in stylized lettering.

The Chinese junk was used because it is a common sight in Chinese inland and coastal waters and thereby symbolizes the geographic area of operations for which the medal was awarded.

Reverse

In the center of a bronze medallion, an eagle is shown perched on an anchor; the eagle is facing to the left, and the flukes of the anchor are to the right side of the medallion. The eagle is grasping sprigs of laurel, which extend beyond the anchor in both directions. Above the eagle are the words UNITED STATES NAVY (or UNITED STATES MARINE COPRS). Above the laurel on the left is the word FOR, and over the laurel on the right, SERVICE.

The eagle is the American bald eagle and represents the United States; the anchor alludes to naval service. The laurel is symbolic of victory and achievement.

Ribbon

The ribbon to the China Service Medal consists of a gold background with a red stripe inside each edge. These colors were selected because they are popular Asian colors and represent the geographic area of operations for which this medal was awarded.

Numbering

The Navy version of the China Service Medal was not numbered; however, the Marine Corps version was numbered without prefix from 1 to 1000 and from 3000 to 4000.

(1) To commemorate the services performed by the personnel of the Navy and Marine Corps during operations in China from 7 July 1937 to 7 September 1939, a service medal to be known as the "China Service Medal" will be issued to the officers and enlisted men who participated in these operations.

(2) The award will be made to the officers and enlisted en of the Navy and Marine Corps who served on shore in China during the period from 7 July 1937 to 7 September 1939, and to the officers and enlisted men who were attached to and serving on board any of the vessels mentioned in the following list between the dates appearing below each vessel.

(3) No person is entitled to more than one medal for service during these operations. (Navy Department General Order No. 176 of 1 July 1942.)

CHINA SERVICE MEDAL (EXTENDED)

1. The purposes for which the China Service Medal was established and authorized by General Order No. 176, dated 1 July 1942, are extended to include the services performed by personnel of the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard during the operations in China subsequent to 2 September 1945, and until a terminal date to be designated. It is further provided that the Secretary of the Navy may tender this medal to personnel of the Army or other components of the Armed Forces of the United States for service which he may determine to be commensurate to and consistent with the services for which the award is made to personnel in the naval service, and this provision for tender shall apply for all periods of time for which award of this medal is authorized.

2. The medal will be awarded to individual who shall have been attached to, present, and serving on permanent duty with an organization of the naval service of the United States credited by the Secretary of the Navy with having participated in operations in China. Service in a passenger status, or as an observer, visitor, courier, escort, inspector or other similar status when not permanently attached to an eligible unit, is not creditable toward eligibility for the above medal. Services performed in the Asiatic-Pacific area between 3 September 1945 and 2 March 1946, inclusive, shall not be credited toward individual eligibility for the China Service Medal unless the individual is already eligible for the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal for services performed prior to 2 September 1945.

3. Organizations will, consistent with the above dates, be credited with qualifying service for services performed on shore in China and such adjacent islands and territories as are recognized to be Chinese, or in ships operating in such territorial waters or contiguous ocean areas, or in aircraft based upon and operating from such territories or ships.

4. The China Service Medal shall not be awarded for any service for which another service medal is authorized except as provided in paragraph 2 above and not more than one medal shall be awarded to any individual. No clasps, distinguishing devices, or other insignia are authorized to be worn on the corresponding service ribbon except that individuals to whom the medal has been or may be awarded for service performed under General Order No. 176, of 1 July 1942, shall upon becoming eligible for this award for service performed subsequent to 2 September 1945, wear a bronze star signifying the second award on the ribbon of the medal and on the service ribbon.

5. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as altering or otherwise affecting the condition for which the China Service Medal was awarded by General Order No. 176, of 1 July 1942, except as providing for tender to other services as provided in Paragraph 1 above (ALNAV 25 of 22 Jan. 1947; Navy Department General Order No. 255 of 28 Jan. 1948.)

Source: 1953 U.S. Navy Awards Manual

(FIRST ELIGIBILITY PERIOD. Extended period to be added.)

Alden............07 Jul 37-24 Jul 37
03 Aug 37-18 Nov 37
18 Jul 38-37 Sep 38
30 Jan 39-27 Feb 39
06 Jun 38-08 Aug 38
Asheville........07 Jul 38-28 Dec 38
24 Mar 38-04 Feb 39
06 Apr 39-17 Jul 39
Augusta..........07 Jul 37-24 Jul 37
03 Aug 37-06 Jan 38
20 Jan 38-22 Jan 38
08 Apr 38-28 Dec 38
22 Apr 39-07 Sep 39
Barker...........07 Jul 37-24 Jul 37
03 Aug 37-18 Nov 37
09 Feb 38-28 Feb 38
18 Jul 38-27 Sep 38
26 Feb 39-03 Apr 39
06 Jun 39-14 Aug 39
Bittern..........07 Jul 37-04 Oct 37
06 May 39-15 May 39
08 Jun 39-07 Sep 39
Blackhawk........07 Jul 37-18 Nov 37
04 Apr 38-06 Apr 38
18 Jul 38-28 Sep 38
05 Jun 39-07 Sep 39
Bridge...........08 Nov 37-09 Mar 38
Bulmer...........07 Jul 37-10 Nov 37
26 Nov 37-18 Dec 37
08 Apr 38-06 Aug 38
03 Apr 39-04 Sep 39
Canopus..........07 Jul 37-21 Sep 37
03 Oct 37-06 Oct 37
19 Oct 37-25 Oct 37
13 Oct 38-29 Oct 38
11 May 39-12 Aug 39
Chaumont.........07 Jul 37-19 Jul 37
18 Sep 37-04 Oct 37
17 Oct 37-23 Oct 37
06 Nov 37-13 Nov 37
11 Feb 38-18 Feb 38
29 Oct 38-19 Nov 38
15 May 39-06 Jun 39
22 Aug 39-07 Sep 39
Edsall...........07 Jul 37-28 Oct 37
10 Nov 37-18 Dec 37
24 Mar 38-12 Jul 38
03 Apr 39-04 Sep 39
Edwards, John D..07 Jul 37-18 Nov 37
18 Jul 38-27 Sep 38
30 Jan 39-26 Feb 39
06 Jun 39-07 Sep 39
Finch............07 Jul 37-04 Dec 37
10 Jul 38-06 Sep 38
06 May 39-15 May 39
18 Jun 39-07 Sep 39
Ford, John D.....07 Jul 37-19 Nov 37
15 Jan 38-03 Feb 38
17 Feb 38-24 Feb 38
15 Jul 38-15 Sep 38
02 Nov 38-15 Dec 38
05 Jun 39-07 Sep 39
Gold Star........26 Aug 37-07 Sep 37
22 Sep 37-28 Sep 37
27 Nov 37-01 Dec 37
11 Feb 38-14 Feb 38
26 Sep 38-11 Oct 38
25 Nov 38-29 Nov 38
10 Feb 39-27 Feb 39
05 May 39-19 May 39
18 Jul 39-01 Aug 39
Guam.............07 Jul 37-07 Sep 39
Henderson........24 Oct 37-14 Nov 37
02 May 38-23 May 38
30 Dec 38-20 Jan 39
02 Jul 39-25 Jul 39
Heron............07 Jul 37-04 Oct 37
15 Sep 38-22 Sep 38
27 Jul 39-03 Aug 39
Isabel...........07 Jul 37-29 Oct 37
05 Jan 38-07 Sep 38
Jones, Paul......07 Jul 37-24 Jul 37
26 Sep 37-19 Nov 37
12 Aug 38-27 Sep 38
05 Jun 39-07 Sep 39
Luzon............07 Jul 37-07 Sep 39
Marblehead.......19 Sep 37-16 Feb 38
14 May 38-07 Aug 38
Marblehead.......22 Aug 38-27 Sep 38
09 Apr 39-07 Sep 39
Mindanao.........07 Jul 37-07 Sep 39
Monocacy.........07 Jul 37-31 Jan 39
Oahu.............07 Jul 37-07 Sep 39
Panay............07 Jul 37-12 Dec 37
Parrott..........07 Jul 37-18 Dec 37
12 Mar 38-25 Mar 38
14 Sep 38-28 Sep 38
03 Jun 39-04 Sep 39
Peary............16 Aug 37-17 Nov 37
15 Dec 37-24 Dec 37
06 Jan 38-25 Jan 38
08 Feb 38-27 Feb 38
15 Jul 38-14 Oct 38
05 Jun 39-07 Sep 39
Pecos............19 Aug 37-04 Oct 37
16 Jul 38-31 Jul 38
23 Aug 38-28 Sep 38
31 May 39-07 Sep 39
Pigeon...........07 Jul 37-19 Sep 37
13 Oct 38-29 Oct 38
02 May 39-11 May 39
30 Jul 39-07 Sep 39
Pillsbury........07 Jul 37-17 Nov 37
31 Dec 37-06 Jan 38
20 Jan 38-02 Feb 38
16 Jul 38-11 Nov 38
05 Jun 39-07 Sep 39
Pope.............07 Jul 37-17 Nov 37
15 Dec 37-17 Jan 38
31 Jan 38-01 Mar 38
15 Jul 38-20 Sep 38
15 Nov 38-16 Dec 38
05 Jun 39-07 Sep 39
Ramapo...........01 Aug 37-15 Aug 37
21 Oct 37-25 Oct 37
Ramapo...........28 Mar 39-05 Apr 39
03 Jul 39-14 Jul 39
S-36.............07 Jul 37-19 Sep 37
13 Oct 38-29 Oct 38
25 Mar 39-07 Sep 39
S-37.............07 Jul 37-25 Aug 37
13 Oct 38-29 Oct 38
19 Jul 39-07 Sep 39
S-38.............07 Jul 37-21 Jul 37
13 Oct 38-29 Oct 38
02 May 39-07 Sep 39
S-39.............07 Jul 38-21 Jul 38
13 Oct 38-29 Oct 38
04 Jul 39-07 Sep 39
S-40.............07 Jul 37-21 Jul 37
13 Oct 38-29 Oct 38
25 May 39-07 Sep 39
S-41.............07 Jul 37-25 Aug 37
13 Oct 38-29 Oct 38
04 Jul 39-07 Sep 39
Sacramento.......07 Jul 37-26 Sep 37
05 Oct 37-27 Mar 38
03 Jun 38-02 Jan 39
Stewart..........07 Jul 37-17 Oct 37
30 Oct 37-18 Dec 37
24 Feb 38-07 Apr 38
03 Jun 39-04 Sep 39
Trinity..........28 Aug 39-07 Sep 39
Tulsa............07 Jul 37-13 Jul 38
17 Sep 38-04 Feb 39
06 Apr 39-07 Sep 39
Tutuila..........07 Jul 37-07 Sep 39
Whipple..........07 Jul 37-24 Jul 37
03 Aug 37-18 Nov 37
18 Jul 38-27 Sep 38
26 Feb 39-03 Apr 39
06 Jun 39-07 Sep 39

1. Description:

Obverse: In the center of a bronze medallion one and a quarter inches in diameter, a Chinese junk in full sail is shown upon scroll waves; the junk is encircled by the words CHINA SERVICE in stylized lettering. The Chinese junk was used because it is a common sight in Chinese inland and coastal waters and thereby symbolizes the geographic area of operations for which the medal was awarded.

Reverse: In the center of a bronze medallion, an eagle is shown perched on an anchor; the eagle is facing to the left, and the flukes of the anchor are to the right side of the medallion. The eagle is grasping sprigs of laurel, which extend beyond the anchor in both directions. Above the eagle are the words UNITED STATES NAVY (or UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS). Above the laurel on the left is the word FOR, and over the laurel on the right, SERVICE. The eagle is the American bald eagle and represents the United States; the anchor alludes to naval service. The laurel is symbolic of victory and achievement.

Ribbon: The ribbon to the China Service Medal consists of a gold background with a red stripe inside each edge. These colors were selected because they are popular Asian colors and represent the geographic area of operations for which this medal was awarded.

2. Criteria: The China Service Medal was awarded to Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel who:

a. Served ashore in China or who were attached to any of the vessels that operated in support of the operations in China between July 7, 1937, and September 7, 1939.

b. Served ashore in China or were attached to any of the vessels that operated in support of operations in China between September 2, 1945 and April 1, 1957. Military services performed in the Asiatic-Pacific area between September 2, 1945 and March 2, 1946 could be credited for eligibility for the China Service Medal unless the individual was eligible for the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal based on service performed prior to September 2, 1945.

3. Devices: Individuals who received the China Service Medal for service during both periods of eligibility were authorized to wear a bronze star on the ribbon.

4. Background: The China Service Medal was established on August 23, 1940, by Navy Department General Orders Number 135 as amended on January 22, 1947, by ALNAV 25 (further amended on January 28, 1948, by Navy Department General Orders Number 255). The China Service Medal was awarded for qualifying service between the inclusive dates of July 7, 1937, and September 7, 1939; and was was subsequently extended to include service rendered between September 2, 1945, to April 1, 1957. The China Service Medal was designed by George H. Snowden.

For morale purposes The (Navy) China Service (Commemorative) Medal was issued to many Army and Army Air Force personnel who served in China during the war to exemplify the harsh and dangerous conditions they faced under Japanese threat and Japanese policy not to take prisoners of war. There is no list of Army and Army Air Force personnel who were actually awarded the CSM. However, the CSM's Commemorative status may take into account all Army and Army Air Force personnel who served on-land in China between 7 December 1941 and 2 September 1945.