Coast Guard Commendation Ribbon

The Coast Guard Commendation Medal has been in effect since August 15, 1947.

The Coast Guard Commendation Medal may be awarded to members of the Armed Forces serving in any capacity with the Coast Guard for meritorious service resulting in unusual and outstanding achievement rendered while the Coast Guard is serving under Department of Transportation jurisdiction. Specifically, it may be awarded to persons who, while serving in any capacity with the Coast Guard (including foreign military personnel) distinguish themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement or service. To merit this award, the acts or services must be accomplished or performed in a manner above that normally expected and must be sufficient to distinguished the individual above others of comparable grade or rating who perform similar services.

The act must be worthy of special recognition but not to the degree required for the Bronze Star Medal when combat is involved; or the Coast Guard Medal or Meritorious Service Medal when combat is not involved.

The achievements must be outstanding and worthy of special recognition, but not to the degree required for the Bronze Star Medal or Air Medal when combat is involved; or the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, or Air Medal when combat is not involved. The achievement should be such as to constitute a definite contribution to the Service, such as an invention, or improvement in design, procedure, or organization.

The meritorious service must be outstanding and worthy of special recognition, but not to the degree required for the Bronze Star Medal or Air Medal when combat is involved; or the Meritorious Service Medal or Air Medal when combat is not involved. The award may cover an extended period of time during which a higher award may have been recommended or received for specific act(s). The criteria, however, should not be the period of service involved, but rather the circumstances and conditions under which the service was performed. The performance should be well above that usually expected commensurate with the individual's grade or rate. If the meritorious service is not sufficient to warrant the award of a Coast Guard Commendation Medal, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal should be considered.

Ribbon Device Attachments:

1. Bronze Letter "V" Device for Valor.

3. Silver Letter "O" Operational Distinguishing Device

3. Gold Star for each additional award.

This Coast Guard Commendation Ribbon is manufactured by the same government contractor that supplies the U.S. Army and Army Post Exchanges, it's quality is guaranteed.