“ By virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States, and as Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, it is hereby ordered that a Good Conduct Medal, including suitable appurtenances, be established and that the said medal may be awarded, under such regulations as the Secretary of War shall prescribe, to those enIisted men of the Army of the United States who hereafter honorably complete three years of active Federal military service, and who are recommended by their commanding officers for exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity. ”