The decoration was awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who had served in the American Civil War between 1861 and 1865.

[3] The obverse of the Army Civil War Campaign Medal displayed an engraved image of Abraham Lincoln while the Navy and Marine Corps versions depicted the USS Monitor and CSS Virginia's battle at Hampton Roads.

This interest was due in large part to the fact that several senior military officers were veterans of the Civil War.

Although some recipients may have worn some form of the ribbon, the monies necessary to mint and issue the medal were not appropriated by Congress until 1956 – 91 years after the war ended.

It was this act that provided U.S. government purchase for the medal to all qualified veterans, whether they were on active or inactive duty.

[7] The descendant units remain in service, but the Army National Guard no longer recognizes the lineage nor authorizes the streamers for campaigns against the U.S. Armed Forces.

1953), Part IV, Section 2, Paragraph 1 states the following - Civil War Campaign Medal This medal is issued to officers and enlisted personnel of the Navy and Marine Corps who served in the naval service during the Civil War, between 15 April 1861 and 9 April 1865.