The California National Guard Good Conduct Medal honors members of the California National Guard who carry out sustained exemplary and honorable service and stand out as a model to others for a minimum period of three consecutive years with no infractions or other disciplinary action.
At nearly 23,000 members, the California National Guard is the largest in the country; it is made up of the California Army National Guard and California Air National Guard. The Army component dates back to the 1849 founding of a state militia, then called the First California Guard; the Air component, based in Sacramento, traces its roots back to August of 1917 when the 115th Aero Squadron was formed to support the United States’ efforts in World War I.
The medal features the California State Seal and an inscription reading “CALIFORNIA NATIONAL GUARD” around the edge. The ribbon is yellow with two thin vertical dark blue stripes toward the exterior as well as dark blue edging.