The medal was first awarded on 14 November 2008, to Marine Corps Lance Corporal James E. Swain, who died 15 November 2004, of wounds received while serving as a Marine Corps intelligence analyst during the Battle of Fallujah in Iraq. The Swain Annex of the Marine Corps Intelligence Activity (MCIA) complex is named for LCpl Swain. Its first recipient under its new name was Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Steven P. Daugherty, sometime before 21 May 2009.