The Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal was established when Secretary of the Navy Fred A. Korth approved National Naval Policy Board (1960) Report, promulgated by BUPERS Notice 1650 of June 25, 1962. Originally authorized as a ribbon only, the medal was authorized by Secretary of the Navy Paul H. Nitze on June 22, 1964.

Effective Dates

The initial date for computation of service that can be credited to this award is July 1, 1958.

Criteria

The Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal is awarded on a selective basis to Navy Reservists who, during any three consecutive years subsequent to July 1, 1958, fulfill with distinction the obligations of inactive reserve. These requirements include performing four periods of active duty for training of not less than twelve days each and attending ninety percent of all scheduled drills with an organized unit of the Naval Reserve each year for four consecutive years (appropriate duty and equivalent instruction or duty may be credited in lieu of drills).

Order of Precedence

The Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal is worn after the Navy Reserve Special Commendation Ribbon and before the Fleet Marine Force ribbon.

Devices

Additional awards of the Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal are indicated by bronze stars.

Designer

The Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal was designed by the Institute of Heraldry Staff.

Description and Symbolism

Obverse

In the center of a bronze medallion one and three eighths inches in diameter, a fouled anchor is shown with a scroll around its shank. On the scroll, in two segments, are the words MERITORIOUS SERVICE in incised letters. Encircling the anchor and following the contour of the medal, the words UNITED STATES NAVAL RESERVE, appear in raised letters. The anchor represents the naval service and the character of the required service is reflected in the words on the scroll.

Reverse

The reverse of the Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal is blank. Ribbon

The ribbon is a slight modification of the ribbon for the obsolete Naval Reserve Medal (which was effectively replaced by the Armed Forces Reserve Medal). The only difference between this ribbon and that of the naval Reserve Medal is that this ribbon has a quarter inch wide stripe of dark blue in the center. The blue and gold pinstripes at the edge of the ribbon represent the Navy; the scarlet center stripe was adapted from the Navy Good Conduct Medal, and the blue center stripe was added to distinguished this ribbon from that of the Naval Reserve Medal.

Authorized on September 12, 1959, originally as a ribbon bar only. The ribbon was replaced by the medal on June 22, 1962. It is awarded on a selective basis to U.S. Navy Reservists who fulfill with distinction the obligations of inactive reservists, meeting certain attendance and performance requirements at a higher level than that normally expected.