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Authorization. 10 U.S.C. 6246.

Eligibility Requirements. Awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Navy or the U.S. Marine Corps, distinguishes himself/herself by heroism not involving actual conflict with the enemy. For acts of life- saving, or attempted lifesaving, it is required that the action be performed at the risk of one's own life.

Note: Although the Navy and Marine Corps Medal is often awarded for heroism involving lifesaving, it is not a lifesaving medal. As the senior peacetime award for heroism, this award hinges on the actual level of personal "life threatening" risk experienced by the awardee. For heroic performance to rise to this level it must be clearly established that the act involved very specific life-threatening risk to the awardee. When there is none, or at best very limited life- threatening risk to the awardee, the award of the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal may be more appropriate.