The original ancestor organization of the NOAA Corps, the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey Corps, existed from 1917 to 1965, then went through a transitional period as the Environmental Science Services Administration Corps (ESSA Corps) from 1965 to 1970 before becoming the NOAA Corps.
Awarded to enlisted members of the crews of Coast and Geodetic Survey vessels for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity during service between 8 September 1939 and 28 April 1952.