[1] The medal, designed by Otto Placzek of Berlin, consists of an outer laurel wreath of oak leaves with the national emblem of an eagle clutching a swastika (both golden coloured) at its apex.

Inferior quality late-war versions can appear a dull gray as the gold gilt was known to wear off.

[2] The medal was worn on the lower part of the left breast pocket of the naval service tunic, underneath the 1st class Iron Cross if awarded, or equivalent grade award.

Following a similar directive as the rest of the Bundeswehr, the Bundesmarine allowed several de-nazified versions of World War II medals, which had been previously earned and issued, to be worn.

These 1957 re-issued medals are identical in most respect to their wartime equivalents, the most prominent difference being the removal of the German eagle and Swastika.