The commemorative purposes for which the China Service Medal was established and authorized by General Order No.

The medal will be awarded to individuals who shall have been attached to, present, and serving on permanent duty with an organization of the naval service of the United States credited by the Secretary of the Navy with having participated in operations in China.

[4] The China Service Medal is no longer awarded by the United States Navy.

Designed by American sculptor George Holburn Snowden, the medal is bronze, 1.25 inches in diameter.

The center of the obverse bears a three-sailed Chinese junk borne upon scroll waves.

The boat is surrounded by the inscription in relief China Service, in an Asian-style font.