UNITED STATES NAVAL RESERVE, FAITHFUL SERVICE, MEDAL, CIRCA 1938 - 1958

DESCRIPTION: A bronze medal, bearing on the obverse an eagle on a anchor. The reverse side has a band inscribed "UNITED STATES NAVAL RESERVE" around the outer edge and "FAITHFUL SERVICE" in the center.

The Naval Reserve Medal is a decoration of the United States Navy which was created by order of Secretary of the Navy James Paulding. The medal was first issued on September 12, 1938 and was an active decoration until 1958. On September 12, 1958, the Naval Reserve Medal was declared discontinued and was replaced by the Armed Forces Reserve Medal. It is not to be confused with the Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal which is a completely different decoration. 

CRITERIA: The Naval Reserve Medal was awarded to any member of the United States Naval Reserve, the associated National Naval Volunteers, and local Naval militia units. To be awarded the decoration, a service member was required to perform ten years of continuous service in one of the aforementioned components in either an active duty, drilling reservist, or inactive status.