36.13.10

Medal, Military

1945 Approximate

U. S. Army Good Conduct Medal of Robert Connors. Material: metal, textile. Size: medal is 1 1/8" diameter. Description: an eagle perched on a Roman sword atop a closed book, stamped around perimeter: "Efficiency, Honor, Fidelity". The reverse of the medal has a five pointed star just above center with a blank scroll for engraving the soldier’s name; above the star are the words, “For Good” and below the scroll is the word, “Conduct.” A wreath of half laurel leaves, denoting accomplishment and half oak leaves, denoting bravery surrounds the reverse design. The ribbon is scarlet with three narrow white stripes on each side; it is divided by the white stripes to form thirteen stripes.

Awarded to Robert M. Connors of Waseca, Minnesota. Authorized on June 28, 1941 for exemplary conduct, efficiency and fidelity and awarded to Army personnel who, on or after August 27, 1940, had honorably completed three years of active Federal military service. These military medals could also be awarded for one year of service after December 7, 1941 while the U.S. was at war. The award was not automatic and required certification by a commanding officer (usually a battalion commander or higher). The Army Good Conduct Medal was designed by Joseph Kiselewski; the ribbon is divided by the white stripes to form thirteen stripes representing the thirteen original colonies of the United States. During the Revolutionary War, the color scarlet symbolized the mother country and the white stripe symbolized the virgin land separated by force from the mother country.