Coast Guard Ribbons Award Chart
The following chart is in proper precedence for all Coast Guard authorized awards. You might see some differences between the various branches as to the proper placement of certain awards. Certain branches put awards in the sequence they were earned where another branch puts them in the sequence of when they were authorized. If you have any questions feel free to ask us for clarification.
 Medal of Honor |
 Navy Cross |
 Defense Distinguished Service Medal |
 Distinguished Service Medal |
 Silver Star |
 Department of Transportation Gold Medal |
 Defence Superior Service Medal |
 Guardian Medal |
 Legion of Merit Medal |
 Distinguished Flying Cross |
 Coast Guard Medal |
 Gold Lifesaving Medal |
 Bronze Star Medal |
 Purple Heart |
 Defense Meritorious Service Medal |
 Meritorious Service Medal |
 Air Medal |
 Silver Lifesaving Medal |
 Department of Transportation Silver Medal |
 Joint Service Commendation Medal |
 Coast Guard Commendation Medal |
 Department of Transportation Bronze Medal |
 Joint Service Achievement Medal |
Transportation 9-11 Medal |
 Coast Guard Achievement Medal |
 Commandant’s Letter of Commendation Ribbon |
 Combat Action Ribbon |
 Presidential Unit Citation |
 Joint Meritorious Unit Award |
 Coast Guard Unit Commendation |
 Meritorious Unit Commendation |
 Meritorious Team Commendation |
 Coast Guard ‘E’ Ribbon |
 Bicentennial Unit Commendation |
 Prisoner of War Medal |
 Coast Guard Good Conduct |
 Coast Guard Reserve Good Conduct Medal |
 Navy Expeditionary Medal |
 China Service Medal |
 American Defense Medal |
 American Campaign Medal |
 European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal |
 Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal |
 World War II Victory Medal |
 Navy Occupation Medal |
 Medal for Humane Action |
 National Defense Medal |
 Korean Service Medal |
 Antarctica Service Medal |
 Arctic Service Medal |
 Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal |
 Vietnam Service Medal |
 Southwest Asia Service Medal |
 Kosovo Campaign Medal |
 Afghanistan Campaign Medal |
 Iraq Campaign Medal |
 Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal |
 Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |
 Korea Defense Service Medal |
 Armed Forces Service Medal |
 Humanitarian Service Medal |
9-11 Ribbon |
 Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal |
 Coast Guard Special Operations Ribbon |
 Coast Guard Sea Service |
 Restricted Duty Ribbon |
 Navy Arctic Service Ribbon |
 Basic Training Honor Graduate |
 Recruiting Ribbon |
 Armed Forces Reserve Medal |
 Philippine Presidential Unit Citation |
 Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation |
 Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation |
 Vietnam Cross of Gallantry |
 Vietnam Civil Action Medal |
 Philippine Defense Medal |
 Philippine Liberation Medal |
 Philippine Independence Medal |
 United Nations Service Medal |
 United Nations Medal |
 NATO |
 NATO Kosovo |
 NATO (ISAF) |
 Multinational Force and Observers Medal |
 Inter-American Defense Board Medal |
 Vietnam Campaign Medal |
 Kuwait Liberation Medal-Saudi Arabia |
 Kuwait Liberation Medal-Kuwait |
 Korean War Service Medal |
 Expert Rifle Medal |
 Expert Pistol Medal |