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Coast Guard Commendation Medal

In 1943, both the Coast Guard and the Navy authorized the creations of Commendation Medals, though they were only available as military ribbons. It was 17 years before they authorized their own branch specific Coast Guard version of these ribbons. Like the other service branches, they also added a medalic award to their pantheon of medals of America. These Coast Guard Medals are a mid-level decorations presented to service persons for acts of heroism and meritorious service. If the valorous action that earns the Coast Guard Commendation Medal is performed in direct contact with an enemy force, the Valor Device “V” may be worn on the decoration. The actions for which these US military medals and ribbons are awarded are considered to be of a lesser degree than those required to win the Bonze Star.

The Coast Guard Commendation Medal is worn below the Silver Life Saving Medal (which is no longer issued) and the Joint Service Commendation Medal, but above the Joint Services Achievement Medal in the general order of precedence which has been established for the proper display of all military medals and ribbons. Gold Award Stars are used to denote additional awards of these Coast Guard ribbons and medals.

The Coast Guard Commendation Medal is generally available as full size military medals, military mini medals, military ribbons, and lapel pins. Traditionalists may still prefer to procure them as traditional slide-on, full size military medals, mini-medals, and slide-on military ribbons. Nowadays however, more and more military service personnel are realizing the value to their career goals of always having their uniform decorations looking their best, and have turned to the slimmer and trimmer thin military medals and mini medals and the ultra thin military ribbons to provide them with the smartest looking military award displays possible.