Forty-Seven years after the “War to Preserve the Union” ended, the Navy & Marine Corps Civil War Medal was established June 27, 1908. By the Navy Department Special Orders Number 81. The Navy Civil War Medal was awarded for qualifying service between the dates of April 15, 1861, and April 9, 1865.
The medal consists of a bronze disk suspended from a blue and gray ribbon. There is a pin attached on the back at the top of the ribbon.
On the front of the disk are two ironclad naval vessels are shown engaged in combat. To the rear of both ships (and to the viewer's right), two wooden vessels appear, one of which is sinking. In the sky, a bomb is bursting in air. Above this scene, “THE CIVIL WAR” appears in raised letters. The dates “1861-1865” are along the bottom edge. This scene is a representation of the fight between the ironclads U.S.S. Monitor and CSS Virginia formerly U.S.S. Merrimack at Hampton Roads, Virginia on March 9, 1862. The U.S.S. Monitor in the right foreground closes with the Merrimack at right center. In the background, to the right, are two wooden ships one of which is sinking.
On the back is an eagle with its wings displayed is shown resting upon an anchor with draped chain, over the words “FOR SERVICE” in raised letters. Along the top edge of the medal, “UNITED STATES NAVY” is in raised letters.
