However, although the Coast and Geodetic Survey traced its history to 1807, it had no awards of its own until 21 July 1945, when President Harry S. Truman signed Executive order 9590, authorizing six awards in recognition of Coast and Geodetic Survey service during World War II, the national emergency preceding it, or its aftermath:[1][2][3][4] The Coast and Geodetic Survey Meritorious Service Medal was one of the six awards.

[1] For budgetary reasons, Executive Order 9590 established the award as a ribbon only, but it also authorized the United States Secretary of Commerce to "provide and issue an appropriate medal, with suitable appurtenances, to the recipient of any ribbon at such time as he may determine, and when necessary funds are available therefore.

"[1][4][5] However, it was not until the United States Congress passed the Merchant Marine Decorations and Medals Act in 1988 that the Coast and Geodetic Survey's successor organization, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), took action to create a medal for the award.

[5] The Coast and Geodetic Survey Meritorious Service Medal was awarded to any member of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey who rendered service of a meritorious character in the line of duty under the jurisdiction of the United States Secretary of Commerce between 8 September 1939 and 28 April 1952, but not of such an outstanding character as to warrant an award of the Coast and Geodetic Survey Distinguished Service Medal.

[1] The obverse of the medal depicts a globe superimposed over two crossed anchors, with a bald eagle with its wings spread perched atop the globe,[5] the same image depicted on the seal of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey.