- Time Period: Post-WW2
- Institution: 1943
- Country: United States
The Coast Guard Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration that is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service within the Coast Gard forces. Each branch of the United States Armed Forces has its own version of this medal, with a fifth version existing for acts of joint military service performed under the Department of Defense.
The U.S. Coast Guard awards a separate Coast Guard Commendation Medal, with a ribbon similar in design to that of its Navy and Marine Corps counterparts. This was initially established as the Coast Guard Commendation Ribbon in 1947, and redesignated as the Coast Guard Commendation Medal in 1959.
The Coast Guard Commendation Medal Design
The Commendation Medal was originally only a service ribbon awarded by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard (this was around 1943). In 1949, the Navy, Coast Guard, and Army Commendation ribbons were renamed the “Commendation Ribbon with Metal Pendant” and by 1960, the ribbons were authorized as full medals.
The Coast Guard Commendation Medal is gold with silver 5/16 inch stars to denote additional awards.
Other Commendation Medals
The different versions of the Commendation Medal in the United States military are typically associated with specific branches of service. While the criteria for receiving the Commendation Medal remain similar across branches, the designs may vary to reflect the unique identity and traditions of each service.
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