The decoration is the highest award which can be bestowed upon members of that service.

It is awarded to any seaman in the USMM who, on or after September 3, 1939, has distinguished himself during the war by outstanding conduct or service in the line of duty.

Designed by Paul Manship, subsequent awards of the medal are represented by 5/16th inch gold stars affixed to both the suspension ribbon and the ribbon bar.

It is composed of a silver 8-point ball tip star superimposed on a gold compass with a square eagle-anchor suspension device.

The first medal was awarded to Edwin F. Cheney on October 8, 1942 by Franklin D. Roosevelt at the White House with Admiral Emery S. Land as documented by Lowell Thomas in his book These Men Shall Never Die.