Lifesaving Medal The Gold Lifesaving Medal and Silver Lifesaving Medal are U . S . decorations issued by the United States Coast Guard . The awards were first established by Act of Congress , 20 June 1874 ; later authorized by . These decorations are two of the oldest medals in the United States and were originally established at the Department of Treasury as Lifesaving Medals First and Second Class . The Department of the Treasury initially gave the award , but today the United States Coast Guard awards it through the . They are not classified as military decorations , and may be awarded to any person . History . The Lifesaving Medals were first authorized in an Act ( 18 Stat 125 , 43rd Congress ) that furthered the United States Life - Saving Service . The Secretary of the Treasury was directed to , amongst other provisions of the act , to create " medals of honor " , to be distinguished as life - saving medals of the first and second class , and bestow them upon any persons who endanger their own lives in saving , or endeavouring to save lives from perils of the sea , within the United States , or upon any American vessel . The Lifesaving Medals have had three designs in their history . The original design in 1874 was " non - portable " and could not be worn by the recipient , but rather displayed much like a trophy . In 1882 the design was changed so that the medal was suspended from a two inch wide ribbon . The ribbon was red for the Gold Lifesaving Medal and light blue for the Silver Lifesaving medal . Finally on 4 August 1949 the medals and ribbons were reduced in size so that they were more proportionate to medals awarded by the U . S . Armed Forces . The ribbons were also redesigned to have multiple colors . The laws governing the awarding of medal were amended over the years , and is currently awarded by the Coast Guard . The Commandant of the Coast Guard makes the final determination in authorizing the award . " The Gold Lifesaving Medal or the Silver Lifesaving Medal may be awarded to any person who rescues or endeavors to rescue any other person from drowning , shipwreck , or other perils of the water . The rescue or attempted rescue must either take place in waters within the U . S . or subject to the jurisdiction thereof , or one or the other of the parties must be a citizen of the U . S . or from a vessel or aircraft owned or operated by citizens of the U . S . " The Lifesaving Medal is issued in two grades , being silver and gold . " The Gold Lifesaving Medal may be awarded to an individual who performed a rescue or attempted rescue at the risk of his or her own life , and demonstrates extreme and heroic daring . The Silver Lifesaving Medal may be awarded to an individual who performed a rescue or attempted rescue where the circumstances do not sufficiently distinguish the individual to deserve the medal of gold , but demonstrate such extraordinary effort as to merit recognition . If neither the Gold nor Silver Lifesaving Medal is appropriate , then a Certificate of Valor or an appropriate Coast Guard Public Service Award may be considered . " Until the mid - 20th century , the Lifesaving Medal was often bestowed upon members of the military ; however in recent times the decoration has become somewhat rare . This is due primarily to the creation of a variety of additional military decorations that are often considered more prestigious than the Lifesaving Medal . The United States Navy often issues the Navy and Marine Corps Medal , instead of the Lifesaving Medal , for sea rescues involving risk of life . " Military personnel serving on active duty would normally not be recommended for Gold and Silver Lifesaving Medals ; however , military personnel may be recommended for a Lifesaving Medal if the act of heroism was performed while the individual was in a leave or liberty status . In all other circumstances , a military award should be considered . " The Lifesaving Medal is authorized for wear on U . S . military uniforms . The Lifesaving Medal is unusual among U . S . medals because it is actually struck from precious metal , silver or gold , depending on the grade . Most other medals are struck from inexpensive alloys . Multiple awards of the Lifesaving Medal are denoted by award stars on the decoration ’ s ribbon and a gold clasp , inscribed with the recipient ’ s name , is worn on the actual medal . Since 1874 , more than 600 Gold Lifesaving Medals and more than 1 , 900 Silver Lifesaving Medals have been awarded .