Navy E Ribbon

In July of 1976 the Secretary of the Navy established the Navy E Ribbon, as its latest entry in the pantheon of US military medals and awards. These medals of America are more fully called the Navy Battle Efficiency Ribbon. These Navy ribbons are presented to units for permanent duty on Navy ships that have won a battle efficiency competition. These military ribbons are unit awards, and are one of the few ribbons that are not individual awards. They are used to reward particularly the enlisted personnel of any unit that has shown unusual cohesion among its members and exceptional efficiency of operations. These Navy military medals are also presented to the Marine Corps for similar performance excellence. The Navy E Ribbon is worn above the right breast pocket of a full dress uniform. When in standard uniform, the ribbon is placed above the left breast pocket. Subsequent awards are denoted by placing a Navy “E” device, for up to three awards. Thereafter, a single Wreathed Battle “E” device is worn instead. The Navy E Ribbon is worn below the Meritorious Unit Commendations and the Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation, and above the Prisoner of War Medal in the general order of precedence that has been established for the proper display of all military medals and military ribbons. It is considered the equivalent of the Army Superior Unit Award, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, and the Coast Guard “E” Ribbon. The Navy E Ribbon is available as traditional full size military ribbons, lapel pins, and unit banners.