United States. A Navy Medal of Honor, Type X (1964-present)

In bronze gilt, lacquered finish, unmarked, measuring 53 mm (w) x 61.5 mm (h) inclusive of its anchor suspension, on an original full-length neck ribbon with thirteen star horizontal octagonal cravat pad, triple snap closure, extremely fine. Accompanied by its 37 mm (w) x 11 mm (h) ribbon bar with dual push pins and its 13 mm (w) x 12 mm (h) rosette with push pin, gray felt insert medal bed, in its hardshelled case of issue, marked "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" on the padded lid, measuring 108 mm (w) x 180 mm (h) x 29 mm (h), case also extremely fine.

Footnote: The Navy and Marine Corps' Medal of Honor is the United States' oldest continuously awarded decoration, even though its appearance and award criteria has changed since it was created for enlisted men by Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles on December 16, 1861. Legislation in 1915 made naval officers eligible for the award. Although originally awarded for both combat and non-combat heroism, the Medal of Honor today is presented for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty. The design of our highest military decoration is rooted in the Civil War. The central motif is an allegory in which Columbia, in the form of the goddess Minerva uses the shield of the republic to put down the figure of Discord, plainly a reference to the unfolding split in our nation. The design is encircled by thirty-four stars, representing the states of the Union at the time of the outbreak of the Civil War.