The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the highest non-combat decoration awarded for heroism by the United States Department of the Navy to the members of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The decoration was established by an act of Congress on 7 August 1942, and is authorized under . The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is generally considered the equivalent of the U.S. Army′s Soldier's Medal, the U.S. Air Force′s Airman's Medal, and the Coast Guard Medal.