The United States Coast Guard’s medals tell the story of courage, dedication, and service across sea and shore. This article explores every Coast Guard medal, highlighting the history, purpose, and acts of valor or achievement they represent, and honoring the men and women who have earned them.
Beyond their physical design, Coast Guard medals reflect the service’s wide-ranging missions and demanding responsibilities. From lifesaving rescues in dangerous seas to enforcing maritime law and defending national security, each award recognizes the commitment and sacrifice required to protect the nation’s waterways. Together, these medals form a visual record of the Coast Guard’s legacy and the extraordinary individuals who uphold its tradition of service.
About the US Coast Guard and Its Medals
The United States Coast Guard is a unique branch of the U.S. Armed Forces with a broad range of missions that protect the nation’s maritime interests. Operating under the Department of Homeland Security during peacetime—and the Navy during wartime—the Coast Guard serves as both a military service and a federal law enforcement agency.
Its core functions include search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, and environmental protection. Coast Guard crews save thousands of lives each year by responding to emergencies at sea, enforcing laws against smuggling and illegal fishing, and protecting U.S. ports and waterways. The service also plays a vital role in marine safety by inspecting commercial vessels, maintaining navigational aids, and ensuring safe shipping routes. In addition, the Coast Guard safeguards the marine environment by responding to oil spills and hazardous material incidents.
Order of Precedence of the Coast Guard Medals
In the U.S. Coast Guard, medals and ribbons are worn in a defined order of precedence that reflects the relative importance of each award.
At the very top of the hierarchy sits the Medal of Honor, followed by the Coast Guard’s own service cross, the Coast Guard Cross, and then the equivalent heroism or distinguished service awards from other services and federal departments. Next in precedence are high-level service medals, including distinguished service medals from Homeland Security and Transportation as well as the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal, followed by combat and valor awards such as the Silver Star and other decorations for heroism and achievement. Lower in the order come commendation and achievement medals, service and conduct awards, and then unit citations.
1. Personal Awards and Decorations of the Coast Guard
Personal Awards and Decorations recognize individual acts of heroism, exceptional service, and professional achievement within the United States Coast Guard. These honors are awarded to Coast Guard members whose actions go above and beyond the normal expectations of duty, often in demanding and dangerous conditions.
From the Coast Guard Cross—the service’s highest award for valor—to the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, each decoration reflects a distinct level of courage, leadership, and dedication. Together, these awards highlight the personal sacrifices and outstanding contributions made by Coast Guardsmen in service to the nation, whether in moments of extraordinary bravery or sustained excellence in performance.
The Coast Guard Medal
The Coast Guard Medal is a distinguished U.S. military decoration awarded for heroism not involving direct conflict with an enemy.
The Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
The Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal (CGDSM) is one of the premier awards of the United States Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard Cross
The Coast Guard Cross is the United States Coast Guard’s second-highest military decoration, awarded for extraordinary heroism in combat.
The Achievement Medal – Coast Guard
The Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the Armed Forces for the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel
The Coast Guard Commendation Medal
The Coast Guard Commendation Medal is a United States military decoration presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service.
2. Coast Guard Good Conduct and Service Medals
Coast Guard Good Conduct and Service Medals recognize honorable service, professionalism, and commitment over time rather than individual acts of heroism. These awards honor members who consistently demonstrate integrity, discipline, and dedication while fulfilling the Coast Guard’s diverse missions.
From the Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal and its Reserve counterpart to the Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal, each decoration acknowledges sustained service under specific conditions or in unique environments. Together, these medals reflect the importance of reliability, perseverance, and long-term contribution to the success of the Coast Guard and its operations worldwide.
The Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal
The Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal was established on May 20, 1976 by the Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Owen W. Siler.
The Coast Guard Reserve Good Conduct Medal
The Coast Guard Reserve Good Conduct Medal was created in 1963 as the reserve‑component equivalent of the Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal.
The Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal
The Good Conduct Medal is one of the oldest awards in the U.S. military and has been adopted by each branch of the armed forces.
3. Coast Guard Lifesaving Medals
Coast Guard Lifesaving Medals honor extraordinary acts of bravery in the rescue of others from peril at sea or on navigable waters. These prestigious awards recognize individuals who risk their own lives to save others in situations of extreme danger, reflecting the Coast Guard’s longstanding lifesaving tradition.
The Gold and Silver Lifesaving Medals represent the highest recognition for lifesaving heroism, with each awarded based on the level of risk and gallantry displayed during the rescue.
Together, they stand as powerful symbols of selflessness, courage, and the unwavering commitment to saving lives.
4. Coast Guard Unit Awards
Unit Awards recognize the collective achievements of Coast Guard commands or units rather than individual actions. These awards honor teams that demonstrate exceptional performance in missions such as search and rescue, law enforcement, disaster response, or operational excellence.
Examples include the Presidential Unit Citation, Coast Guard Unit Commendation, and Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation. Unit awards are worn by all members assigned to the unit during the period of eligibility and reflect the shared dedication, teamwork, and effectiveness of the unit as a whole. The full list is as follows:
Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation
DHS Outstanding Unit Award
Coast Guard Unit Commendation
Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation
Meritorious Team Commendation
Coast Guard “E” Ribbon
5. Coast Guard Ribbons
Ribbons are streamlined representations of medals or commendations worn on uniforms for daily duty, allowing quick recognition of achievements without wearing full-size medals. They include awards for personal service, campaign participation, humanitarian operations, or other distinctions that may not carry a full medal.
Some notable examples include the Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon, Coast Guard Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon. Ribbons often come in a distinctive color pattern that symbolizes the award’s purpose or historical significance.
Commandant’s Letter of Commendation Ribbon
Coast Guard Combat Action Ribbon
Enlisted Person of the Year Ribbon
Special Operations Service Ribbon
Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon
Restricted Duty Ribbon
Coast Guard Overseas Service Ribbon
Coast Guard Basic Training Honor Graduate Ribbon
Coast Guard Recruiting Service Ribbon
6. Coast Guard Marksmanship Awards/Medals
Marksmanship Awards recognize Coast Guard personnel who demonstrate superior skill with firearms, including rifles and pistols, during qualification or competitive shooting events. These awards highlight proficiency, safety, and professionalism in the use of service weapons.
Examples include the Coast Guard Rifle Marksmanship Medal and the Coast Guard Pistol Marksmanship Medal, as well as ribbons for expert and sharpshooter qualifications. Earning these awards reflects both individual skill and commitment to maintaining operational readiness.
- Coast Guard Distinguished Marksman Award/Badge
- Coast Guard Distinguished Pistol Shot Award/Badge
- Coast Guard Rifleman Excellence-In-Competition Award/Badge
- Coast Guard Pistol Shot Excellence-In-Competition Award/Badge
- President’s Hundred Tab
- Coast Guard Expert Rifleman Medal
- Coast Guard Expert Pistol Shot Medal
- Coast Guard Rifle Sharpshooter Ribbon
- Coast Guard Pistol Sharpshooter Ribbon
- Coast Guard Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon
- Coast Guard Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon
