Awards and decorations of the United States Coast Guard

Awards and decorations of the United States Coast Guard are military medals and ribbons

Awards and decorations of the United States military

Awards and decorations of the United States Military are military decorations which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the United States armed forces...

 of the United States Coast Guard

United States Coast Guard

The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...

 which are currently issued under the authority of the Department of Homeland Security.

Prior to 2002, such awards were issued by the Secretary of Transportation and Coast Guard personnel were eligible to receive a variety of Department of Transportation (DOT) civilian decorations. Since transferring to the Department of Homeland Security, the issuance of DOT awards has been discontinued in the Coast Guard, although such awards may still be seen on active duty Coast Guard uniforms.

Coast Guard military awards are similar to U.S. Navy decorations

Military awards of the United States Department of the Navy

Military awards of the United States Department of the Navy are those military decorations which are presented to members of the United States Navy and U.S. Marine Corps under the authority of the Secretary of the Navy....

 and Coast Guard personnel are eligible to receive all inter-service awards and decorations, authorized foreign awards

Authorized foreign decorations of the United States military

Authorized foreign decorations of the United States military are those military decorations which have been approved for wear by members of the United States armed forces but whose awarding authority is the government of a country other than the United States....

 and international decoration

International decoration

An international decoration is a military award which is not bestowed by a particular country, but rather by an international organization such as the United Nations or NATO...

s.

The current active awards and decorations of the U.S. Coast Guard are as follows:

Coast Guard Lifesaving Medals

Gold Lifesaving Medal Lifesaving Medal The Gold Lifesaving Medal and Silver Lifesaving Medal are civil and military decorations of the United States Coast Guard which was first established by Act of Congress, 20 June 1874; later authorized by Title 14 of the United States Code Section 500-501...	Silver Lifesaving Medal Lifesaving Medal The Gold Lifesaving Medal and Silver Lifesaving Medal are civil and military decorations of the United States Coast Guard which was first established by Act of Congress, 20 June 1874; later authorized by Title 14 of the United States Code Section 500-501...

Coast Guard Marksmanship Awards/Medals

Coast Guard Distinguished Marksman Award/Badge	Coast Guard Distinguished Pistol Shot Award/Badge

Coast Guard Rifleman Excellence in Competition Award/Badge (Silver)	Coast Guard Pistol Shot Excellence in Competition Award/Badge (Silver)	Coast Guard Rifleman Excellence in Competition Award/Badge (Bronze)	Coast Guard Pistol Shot Excellence in Competition Award/Badge (Bronze)

Coast Guard Expert Rifleman Medal Marksmanship Medal The Marksmanship Medal is a decoration of the United States Navy and the Coast Guard and is the highest award one may receive for weapons qualification...	Coast Guard Expert Pistol Shot Medal Marksmanship Medal The Marksmanship Medal is a decoration of the United States Navy and the Coast Guard and is the highest award one may receive for weapons qualification...

Order of precedence

The following is the ribbon order of precedence authorized for wear by the U.S. Coast Guard. The list contains awards and decorations for the departments of Defense (including Army, Navy and Air Force), Homeland Security and Transportation:

Key:

Bold = denotes agency-level (DHS or DOT) award or U.S. Coast Guard award

Bold italic = denotes U.S. Coast Guard award is obsolete

Italic = denotes award is obsolete

• Personal decorations

Medal of Honor Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...	Navy Cross Navy Cross The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...	Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Service Cross (United States) The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...	Air Force Cross Air Force Cross (United States) The Air Force Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Air Force. The Air Force Cross is the Air Force decoration equivalent to the Distinguished Service Cross and the Navy Cross .The Air Force Cross is awarded for extraordinary heroism...	Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal The Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal is a United States military award which is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States by the United States Department of Homeland Security...	Transportation Distinguished Service Medal Department of Transportation Distinguished Service Medal The Transportation Distinguished Service Medal was the highest decoration which could be bestowed by the Secretary of Transportation for exceptional service to the United States government in a position of great responsibility to a member of the United States Coast Guard...
Defense Distinguished Service Medal Defense Distinguished Service Medal The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is a United States military award which is presented for exceptionally distinguished performance of duty contributing to national security or defense of the United States...	Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal The Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal is a decoration of the United States Coast Guard that was created in August 1949 by order of the United States Congress. Prior to this date, members of the Coast Guard were eligible to receive the Navy Distinguished Service Medal.The Coast Guard...	Navy Distinguished Service Medal Navy Distinguished Service Medal The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919. The decoration is the Navy and Marine Corps equivalent to the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the Coast...	Army Distinguished Service Medal	Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Air Force Distinguished Service Medal The Air Force Distinguished Service Medal was created by an act of the United States Congress on July 6, 1960. The medal was intended as a new decoration of the United States Air Force to replace the policy of awarding the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Air Force personnel.The Air Force...	Silver Star Silver Star The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
DOT's Secretary Award for Outstanding Achievement	Defense Superior Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal The Defense Superior Service Medal is a senior United States military decoration of the Department of Defense, awarded to members of the United States armed forces who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."...	Guardian Medal Guardian Medal The Guardian Medal is an award of the United States Department of Transportation which was established by Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.-Criteria:...	Legion of Merit Legion of Merit The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...	Distinguished Flying Cross Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...	Coast Guard Medal Coast Guard Medal The Coast Guard Medal is a decoration of the United States military that is awarded to any service member who, while serving in any capacity with the United States Coast Guard, distinguishes themselves by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy...
Navy and Marine Corps Medal Navy and Marine Corps Medal The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the second highest non-combatant medal awarded by the United States Department of the Navy to members of the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps...	Soldier's Medal Soldier's Medal The Soldier's Medal is a military award of the United States Army. It was introduced as Section 11 of the Air Corps Act, passed by the Congress of the United States on July 2, 1926...	Airman's Medal Airman's Medal The Airman’s Medal is a military decoration of the United States Air Force and is awarded to those service members or those of a friendly nation who, while serving in any capacity with the United States Air Force, distinguish themselves by heroic actions, usually at the voluntary risk of life, but...	Gold Lifesaving Medal	Bronze Star Bronze Star Medal The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...	Purple Heart Purple Heart The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
Defense Meritorious Service Medal Defense Meritorious Service Medal The Defense Meritorious Service Medal is the third-highest award bestowed upon members of the United States military by the United States Department of Defense...	Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal (United States) The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...	Air Medal Air Medal The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...	Silver Lifesaving Medal	Aerial Achievement Medal Aerial Achievement Medal The Aerial Achievement Medal is a decoration of the United States Air Force which was first created in 1988. The decoration is intended to recognize the contributions of aircrew members who would, otherwise, not be qualified for the award of the Air Medal....	DOT's Secretary Award for Meritorious Achievement
Joint Service Commendation Medal	Coast Guard Commendation Medal	Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal	Army Commendation Medal	Air Force Commendation Medal	DOT's Secretary Award for Superior Achievement
Joint Service Achievement Medal	Transportation 9-11 Medal	Coast Guard Achievement Medal	Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal	Army Achievement Medal	Air Force Achievement Medal
Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbon Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbon The Commandant’s Letter of Commendation Ribbon is the highest personal ribbon award of the United States Coast Guard. The decoration was established in March 1979 by Admiral John B. Hayes....	Coast Guard Combat Action Ribbon Combat Action Ribbon The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal military decoration of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Coast Guard which is awarded to those who, in any grade including and below that of a Captain in the Navy and Coast Guard , have actively participated in ground or...	Combat Action Ribbon (Navy and Marine Corps) Combat Action Ribbon The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal military decoration of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Coast Guard which is awarded to those who, in any grade including and below that of a Captain in the Navy and Coast Guard , have actively participated in ground or...

• Unit decorations

	Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation	Navy and Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation	Army and Air Force Presidential Unit Citation	Air Force Gallant Unit Citation	Joint Meritorious Unit Award Joint Meritorious Unit Award The Joint Meritorious Unit Award is a military award that was established on June 4, 1981 by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger and was implemented by Department of Defense Directive 1348.27 dated July 22, 1982...
Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award The Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award is a U.S. government unit decoration which was established in 1992.The Presidential Unit Citation and Joint Meritorious Unit Award are considered senior to the Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award...	Coast Guard Unit Commendation Coast Guard Unit Commendation The Coast Guard Unit Commendation is the highest peacetime unit award that may be awarded to military commands of the United States Coast Guard. The decoration was first created in 1963 and is presented to members of any Coast Guard unit that distinguishes itself by valorous or extremely...	Navy Unit Commendation Navy Unit Commendation The Navy Unit Commendation of the United States Navy is an award that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December 1944...	Air Force Meritorious Unit Award	Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation	Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award	Air Force Organizational Excellence Award	Meritorious Team Commendation Meritorious Team Commendation The Meritorious Team Commendation is the second lowest unit award of the United States Coast Guard. Created in December 1993, the Meritorious Team Commendation is awarded to lower echelon Coast Guard commands who perform exceptional actions that would normally warrant a Commandant's Letter of...	Coast Guard "E" Ribbon	Navy "E" Ribbon	Coast Guard Bicentennial Unit Commendation Coast Guard Bicentennial Unit Commendation The Coast Guard Bicentennial Unit Commendation is a commemorative decoration of the United States Coast Guard which was awarded to all active, reserve, auxiliary, and civilian personnel of the Coast Guard for service between the dates of June 4, 1989 and August 4, 1990.The decoration was issued as...

• Conduct medals

  Prisoner of War Medal Prisoner of War Medal The Prisoner of War Medal is a military award of the United States armed forces which was authorized by Congress and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on 8 November 1985...	Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal	Navy Good Conduct Medal	Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal	Army Good Conduct Medal	Air Force Good Conduct Medal
  	Coast Guard Reserve Good Conduct Medal	Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal	Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal	Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal	Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal

• U.S. service, campaign and training awards

• Authorized non-U.S. service awards and foreign decorations

• Marksmanship awards