United States: United States Coast Guard 'Expert Rifle Shot' Marksmanship Medal

Medal riband fitted with an early 12mm crimp brooch with intricate hinged pin & drop latch clasp fitting. The reverse of mounting brooch indented with the Federal Contractos makers hallmark 'LI-GI'

Instituted in 1969 - and this a very early issue example

The Marksmanship Medal is a medal unique to the United States Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard and is the highest award one may receive for weapons qualification

The Marksmanship Medal is awarded for qualifying as an expert marksman on either the 9?19mm Beretta M9 (Navy or Coast Guard), .40 S&W SIG P229 DAK (Coast Guard only), or M16 rifle. To qualify at the expert level, a superior score must be obtained on an approved weapons qualification course. The standard Navy weapons qualification course for pistol normally consists of several courses of fire from strong-side supported (standing), weak-side supported (standing), and strong-side supported (kneeling) positions. For the rifle, the Navy qualification course consists of firing from a sitting and prone positions

Those qualifying as an expert marksman are authorized to wear the Marksmanship Medal, awarded as two separate decorations for rifle or pistol qualifications. Those having qualified on both pistol and rifle may receive both medals for simultaneous wear. The Marksmanship Medal is worn as a full-sized medal on dress uniforms. On a duty uniform all successful qualifiers may wear the award as the standard Marksmanship Ribbon

A scarce early example strike circa 1969-1970, with 12mm crimp brooch

Condition: EF

Code: 21339