Air and Space Forces, Navy, and Army all have comparable awards for this military decoration (i.e. It was originally presented to Coasties in the late-1950s. The Coast Guard Ribbon, like the Distinguished Service Medal, has a long history. Nevertheless, it usually implies “voluntary acts of heroism in the face of great personal danger or such a magnitude that it exceeds normal expectations.” In general, the eligible conduct acceptable for being “heroic” is quite extensive.

The primary condition is that the act of heroism occurs in any capacity serving the U.S. It’s a specific award provided to any service member who displays acts of heroism while not directly involved in actual conflict with the enemy. The Coast Guard Ribbon is another important military decoration. Therefore, it’s important to identify the USCG ribbon due to its importance on the service uniform. Armed Forces, including the Air Force, Navy, and Army. The Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal has an equivalent in every branch of the U.S. Moreover, “devices” attached to the service ribbon – like 5/16″ gold stars designate additional awards. The CGDSM medal and ribbon are presented for “exceptionally meritorious service to the government in a duty of great responsibility.” Impressively, the military ribbon has origins that date back to the same decade as World War II.Īs a result, the Distinguished Service Medal and ribbon are among the highest designated honors in the military. The Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal (CGDSM) and accompanying ribbon precede the Coast Guard Cross by more than a half-century. USCG Distinguished Service Ribbon Image:

The award, like every USCG ribbon, features its own unique color design / pattern. The United States Air Force also has a similar military decoration, known as the Air Force Cross. Army Distinguished Service Cross and Navy Cross. Today, it’s considered the equivalent of the U.S. Since then, however, the Coast Guard Cross is the highest military decoration awarded in the branch. The Coast Guard Cross is presented to guardians that distinguish themselves through “extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force.”ĭespite the high ranking, the Coast Guard Cross actually hasn’t been in existence for long (created in October 2010). Therefore, service members that earn the distinction are considered of high esteem. The Coast Guard Cross Ribbon is the second highest military decoration in the service branch, only behind the Medal of Honor. However, none is more important than the Coast Guard Cross Ribbon (CGC). Coast Guard awards a variety of service ribbons to guardians. Learn more about the 16 most important U.S. USCG ribbons are straightforward outside their appearance with each ribbon featuring a different color pattern.įurthermore, military ribbons are each assigned based on a specific purpose or achievement.

Service ribbons sometimes include attachment devices, which recognize a variety of purposes and/or additional awards.

USCG ribbons are always worn in a specific order of precedence.

Not all Coast Guard ribbons have a corresponding medal.

There are a few important aspects to keep in mind regarding USCG ribbons: The United States Coast Guard (USCG) presents service medals and ribbons to military personnel, just like every other branch of the Armed Forces.įor this reason, Coast Guard ribbons provide a quick reference to the merit and achievement of guardians.

Navy sharpshooter ribbon