As the division was resting and refitting in Melbourne, Australia after the campaign, Colonel (later Major General) Merrill B. Twining suggested that a commemorative medal be struck.

He suggested that the ribbon be made of worn olive drab cotton twill fabric of the USMC M1941 utility uniform and bear the inscription “Let George Do It”, the division's informal motto from its training days when its personnel seemed to draw more than their fair share of onerous assignments.

[3] The medal was issued without a brooch, but instead was awarded using an oversized safety pin (or other interesting device) used for closing Navy shipboard laundry bags.

When the medals were ready, Lieutenant Frank Farrell, the 7th Marines' intelligence officer and former feature editor of the New York World-Telegram, was assigned to write the text and handle the printing of the certificates.

Second Lieutenant John C. Schiller Jr. was charged with collecting the fee and Lt. Col. (later Col.) Edmond J. Buckley was appointed "Grand Master of the Order"[4] and signed several of the certificates.