This section establishes a new medal to be known as the Coast Guard Medal, which is intended to be a parallel award to the Navy and Marine Corps Medal of the Navy, to be awarded under the same circumstances as that medal is awarded to personnel of the Navy (see title 34, U.S.C., 1946 ed., § 356b). 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

2021—Pub. L. 116–283 substituted “individual” for “person” and “displays” for “distinguishes himself by”.

2018—Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 493 of this title as this section.