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 Pacific War Zone 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 Pacific War Zone Medal was awarded to any member of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey who served outside the continental limits of the United States in the Pacific War Zone under the jurisdiction of the United States Secretary of Commerce between 7 December 1941 and 2 March 1946.

[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.