Complete Guide to Navy Medals and Ribbons
U.S. Navy Awards and Decorations
The U.S. Navy Awards and Decorations system recognizes sailors for heroism, outstanding achievement, faithful service, leadership, and participation in military operations. From the nation’s highest combat decorations to campaign medals and service ribbons, these awards honor the dedication and sacrifice of Navy personnel throughout their careers.
Whether earned during wartime, peacetime, or humanitarian missions, Navy awards document a sailor’s military accomplishments and preserve an important record of service. Understanding these decorations helps veterans, collectors, and military families appreciate the significance behind each medal and ribbon.
History of U.S. Navy Awards
The United States Navy has recognized exceptional service since the country’s earliest days. During the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, awards were limited, but formal military decorations expanded significantly during the Civil War.
The establishment of the Medal of Honor in 1861 marked the beginning of the modern U.S. military awards system. Throughout World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, and the Global War on Terrorism, additional decorations were created to recognize valor, achievement, campaign participation, and long periods of honorable service.
Today, the Navy follows regulations established by the Department of Defense and the Department of the Navy to ensure awards are presented fairly and consistently.
Categories of Navy Awards
Navy decorations generally fall into several categories.
These include:
- Personal decorations
- Unit awards
- Campaign and service medals
- Expeditionary medals
- Good conduct awards
- Marksmanship awards
- Qualification insignia
- Foreign military decorations
Each category recognizes a different type of military accomplishment.
Personal Decorations
Personal decorations recognize individual acts of heroism, leadership, or exceptional performance.
Some of the Navy’s most prestigious decorations include:
- Medal of Honor
- Navy Cross
- Distinguished Service Medal
- Silver Star
- Legion of Merit
- Distinguished Flying Cross
- Bronze Star Medal
- Purple Heart
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Air Medal
- Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
- Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
These awards are often presented during formal ceremonies and become a permanent part of a sailor’s military record.
Campaign and Service Medals
Campaign and service medals recognize participation in specific wars, military campaigns, or periods of service.
Examples include:
- American Defense Service Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
- European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
- World War II Victory Medal
- Navy Occupation Service Medal
- National Defense Service Medal
- Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
- Vietnam Service Medal
- Southwest Asia Service Medal
- Afghanistan Campaign Medal
- Iraq Campaign Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Humanitarian Service Medal
These medals document where and when a sailor served.
Unit Awards
Not every award is earned individually.
Unit awards recognize the outstanding performance of an entire command.
Common Navy unit awards include:
- Presidential Unit Citation
- Navy Unit Commendation
- Meritorious Unit Commendation
- Navy “E” Ribbon
Every eligible member assigned to the unit during the qualifying period may wear the award.
Good Conduct Awards
The Navy Good Conduct Medal recognizes enlisted sailors who complete qualifying periods of honorable and faithful service without disciplinary action.
This medal reflects professionalism, reliability, and consistent performance over time.
Many career sailors receive multiple awards of the Good Conduct Medal throughout their military service.
Expeditionary Awards
Some operations do not qualify for campaign medals but still involve significant overseas service.
In these situations, sailors may receive expeditionary decorations such as:
- Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
- Navy Expeditionary Medal
These recognize participation in designated military operations around the world.
Qualification Badges and Insignia
The Navy also authorizes qualification insignia that identify specialized training and occupational achievements.
Examples include:
- Surface Warfare Insignia
- Submarine Warfare Insignia
- Naval Aviator Wings
- Naval Flight Officer Wings
- Seabee Combat Warfare Insignia
- Expeditionary Warfare Insignia
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge
- Special Warfare Insignia (SEAL Trident)
These devices are worn separately from medals and ribbons.
Navy Ribbon Devices
Many Navy awards include devices that indicate additional awards or specific accomplishments.
Common ribbon devices include:
- Bronze Service Star
- Silver Service Star
- Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (joint awards)
- Combat “V” Device
- Gold and Silver Award Stars
- Arrowhead Device (joint awards)
- “C” Device
- “R” Device
These attachments provide additional information without requiring multiple ribbons.
Order of Precedence
Navy awards are worn according to an official order of precedence.
Generally, the order is:
- Personal decorations
- Unit awards
- Campaign medals
- Service medals
- Good Conduct Medal
- Service ribbons
- Marksmanship awards
The highest-ranking decorations are worn first, reflecting their relative importance.
Collecting Navy Awards
Military collectors often specialize in Navy decorations because of their rich history and wide variety.
Popular collectibles include:
- Medal groups
- Named awards
- Original ribbon bars
- Presentation cases
- Miniature medals
- Award certificates
- Citation documents
- Service records
Complete groups documenting a sailor’s career are generally more desirable than individual medals.
Identifying Original Navy Medals
Authentic Navy medals often feature:
- Sharp die-struck details
- Quality bronze or gilded finishes
- Correct ribbon colors
- Original suspension hardware
- Official manufacturer markings
- Proper dimensions and weight
Collectors should compare suspected originals with verified examples and examine manufacturer marks whenever possible.
Why Navy Awards Matter
Every Navy medal tells part of a sailor’s story.
Awards may represent:
- Combat heroism
- Leadership
- Professional excellence
- Long-term faithful service
- Humanitarian assistance
- Overseas deployments
- Participation in historic military operations
Together, these decorations preserve the legacy of those who served in the United States Navy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest U.S. Navy award?
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded to members of the U.S. Navy for extraordinary heroism in combat.
Can sailors earn awards from other military branches?
Yes. Sailors serving in joint assignments may receive Department of Defense or joint-service awards when authorized.
What is the difference between a medal and a ribbon?
A medal is the full-sized decoration typically worn on formal uniforms, while a ribbon is the smaller version worn on everyday service uniforms.
Are Navy awards permanent?
Yes. Once officially awarded, decorations become part of a service member’s permanent military record unless revoked under exceptional circumstances.
Can veterans replace lost Navy medals?
Yes. Eligible veterans or their next of kin can request replacement medals through the appropriate military records office.
Related Articles
- Navy Occupation Service Medal
- Navy Good Conduct Medal
- National Defense Service Medal
- World War II Victory Medal
- Military Medal Manufacturer Marks
- How to Identify Original Military Medals
- Complete Guide to U.S. Military Awards
Conclusion
The U.S. Navy Awards and Decorations program honors the courage, dedication, and professionalism of sailors who have served throughout American history. Whether recognizing extraordinary heroism, exceptional achievement, faithful service, or participation in historic military operations, these medals and ribbons preserve a lasting record of military excellence. For veterans, families, historians, and collectors, understanding Navy awards provides a deeper appreciation for the service and sacrifices made by generations of United States Navy personnel.