Ive never heard of this medal before today, this came from one of my craigslist ads, nothing else except a few buttons and a Naval Academy hat anchor device.

You scored a great medal!!

Magnificent! The medal is difficult to come by as many will attest. Interestingly, the ribbon on mine is frayed in the same place as yours. It came with a posthumous Purple Heart belonging to a man who went down with the USS Argonaut (SS-166).

Known formally as the "Short Range Battle Practice Medal" (Great Guns Medal) It was designed by USNA Midshipman and authorized January 1934 with the first awards made during the Midshipman's 1935 Summer Cruise. It was discontinued in 1944. It is also noted that these medals were not authorized for wearing on the Navy Officers Uniform once the Midshipmen graduated from the Academy.

William Marvin Goode was from the Class of 1943 and retired as a Commander in 1965. He was a Surface Warfare Officer and received no decorations during his service. He retired to Citrus Heights California.

Here is one in my collection. Unfortunately not named.

5 hours ago, USMCR79 said:

Known formally as the "Short Range Battle Practice Medal" (Great Guns Medal) It was designed by USNA Midshipman and authorized January 1934 with the first awards made during the Midshipman's 1935 Summer Cruise. It was discontinued in 1944. It is also noted that these medals were not authorized for wearing on the Navy Officers Uniform once the Midshipmen graduated from the Academy.

William Marvin Goode was from the Class of 1943 and retired as a Commander in 1965. He was a Surface Warfare Officer and received no decorations during his service. He retired to Citrus Heights California.

Citrus Heights is where it came from and where I live!