Yangtze Service Medal (Navy Marine Corps)

BACK DEVICE(s) none

Description:

1. Authorized by Navy Department G. O. No. 205 of 28 April 1930.
2. To commemorate the services performed by the personnel of the Navy and Marine Corps during the operations in the valley of the Yangtze River, China, in 1926 and 1927, and 1930 and 1932.
   
3. The period for this medal is from 3 September 1926 to 21 October 1927, and from 1 March 1930 to 31 December 1932.
   
4. This medal is awarded to any officer or enlisted man of the Navy or Marine Corps who served on shore at Shanghai or in the valley of the Yangtze River, China, with a landing force during these periods or part of such periods is entitled to this medal.
   
5. This medal is awarded to any of the officers and enlisted men who were attached to the vessels mentioned in the following list between the dates appearing below each vessel.
   Qualified Navy Ships for the Yangtze Service Medal (opens in new window)
6. No officer or enlisted man is entitled to more than one such medal.
7. Members of the Army's 31st Infantry who were stationed in China were awarded the Yangtze Service Medal with the Marine reverse.
8. The Yangtze Service Medal was declared obsolete in 1940 when it was replaced by the China Service Medal.

Background:

1. The Medal
   1. OBVERSE
      1. Displays the port broadside view of a two-masted junk under sail.
      2. Arched across the top are the words"YANGTZE SERVICE". 
   2. REVERSE
      1. Both versions have an eagle perched on a horizontal ship's anchor.
      2. Arched above the eagle are the words "UNITED STATES NAVY" or "UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS" depending on the  service.
      3. In the middle are the words "FOR SERVICE".
      4. Interwined with the anchor are branches of laurel.
   3. RIBBON
      The ribbon is 1 3/8" wide comprised of 5/32" Navy Blue # 1, 1/8" Old Gold, 1/8" Cardinal Red, 1/2" Navy Blue # 1, 1/8" Cardinal Red, 1/8" Old Gold, 5/32" Navy Blue # 1.
   4. DEVICE(s)
      No devices were authorized for this medal.
2. Information from
   DoD 1348.33-M, September 1996
   Naval History and Heritage Command
   The Call of Duty : Military Awards and Decorations of the United States of America by John E. Strandberg
   Medal, Yangtze Service, U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps MIL-DTL-3943/226C 02 June 2021
   Ribbon, Yangtze Service Medal MIL-DTL-11589/154G 11 October 2017