USN Ribbon Checker

Click the boxes next to the ribbons you are currently authorized to wear, then press the button below to get a graphical representation of them. This program does not currently take into account ribbon devices, including combat V's and stars for multiple awards.

The ribbons on this page are listed in order of precedence as given by BUPERS on its web page. To find a particular ribbon, use the 'find' command available on the most commonly used browsers. An alphabetical listing of ribbons and medals is in the works, as is a "medals" page. If an entry is without a checkbox, I have not yet obtained the ribbon graphic.


  • (6/20/2005) The Afghanistan and Iraq Campaign Medals have been added.
  • (12/17/2004) The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Korean Defense Service Medal have now been added. Thanks to those of you who sent requests, graphics, and documentation.
    Ribbons specifically disallowed on the Navy uniform may be found here.
    Please note - the author of this web page is not a resource for determining if you rate a particular ribbon or for the details of awards. Please check with your administrative staff or the BUPERS web page for more information.
    Ribbons and Medals:
    Medal of Honor
    Navy Cross
    Army Distinguished Service Cross
    Air Force Cross
    Defense Distinguished Service Medal
    Navy Distinguished Service Medal
    Army Distinguished Service Medal
    Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
    Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
    Silver Star Medal
    Defense Superior Service Medal
    Legion of Merit
    Distinguished Flying Cross
    Navy and Marine Corps Medal
    Soldier's Medal
    Airman's Medal
    Coast Guard Medal
    Bronze Star Medal
    Purple Heart
    Defense Meritorious Service Medal
    Meritorious Service Medal
    Air Medal
    Joint Service Commendation Medal
    Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal
    Army Commendation Medal
    Air Force Commendation Medal
    Coast Guard Commendation Medal
    Air Force Aerial Achievement Medal
    Joint Service Achievement Medal
    Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal
    Army Achievement Medal
    Air Force Achievement Medal
    Coast Guard Achievement Medal
    Army Res. Comp Achievement Medal
    Combat Action Ribbon
    Presidential Unit Citation (Navy)
    Presidential Unit Citation (Army)
    Presidential Unit Citation (Air Force)
    Joint Meritorious Unit Award
    Army Valorous Unit Award
    Navy Unit Commendation
    Army Superior Unit Commendation
    Coast Guard Unit Commendation
    Coast Guard Team Commendation
    Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
    Army Meritorious Unit Commendation
    Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation
    Navy "E"
    Air Force Org. Excellence Award
    Coast Guard "E"
    Presidential Medal of Freedom
    Presidential Citizens Medal
    Gold Life Saving Medal
    Silver Life Saving Medal
    Medal for Merit
    National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal
    National Intelligence Medal of Achievement
    Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Award
    Navy Award for Distinguished Achievement Science
    President's Distinguished Federal Civilian Service Medal
    Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award
    Secretary of Defense Civilian Meritorious Service Award
    Navy Superior Civilian Service Award
    Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award
    Navy Distinguished Public Service Award
    Coast Guard Dist. Public Service Award
    NASA Distinguished Service Medal
    NASA Flight Medal
    NASA Medal for Exceptional Bravery
    NASA Medal for Exceptional Service
    National Sciences Medal
    Merchant Marine Dist. Svc. Medal
    Merchant Marine Merit. Svc. Medal
    Merchant Marine Mariner's Medal
    Selective Service Distinguished Service Medal
    Selective Service Exceptional Service Award
    Selective Service Meritorious Service Award
    Congressional Space Medal of Honor
    Department of Commerce Gold Medal
    Department of Commerce Silver Medal
    Department of Commerce Bronze Medal
    NOAA Administrator's Award
    NOAA Corps Commendation Medal
    NOAA Special Achievement Award
    NOAA Unit Citation
    USPHS Distinguished Service Award
    USPHS Meritorious Service Medal
    USPHS Outstanding Service Medal
    USPHS Commendation Medal
    USPHS Achievement Medal
    DOE Secretary's Gold Award Medal
    POW Medal
    Navy Good Conduct Medal
    Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
    Army Good Conduct Medal
    Air Force Good Conduct Medal
    Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal
    Coast Guard Reserve Good Conduct Medal
    Navy Reserve Meritorious Service
    Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal
    Air Force Reserve Forces Good Conduct Medal
    Fleet Marine Force Service
    Navy Expeditionary Medal
    Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal
    National Defense Service Medal
    Korean Service Medal
    Antarctica Service Medal
    Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal
    Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
    Vietnam Service Medal
    SW Asia Service Medal
    Kosovo Campaign Medal
    Afghanistan Campaign Medal
    Iraq Campaign Medal
    Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
    Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
    Korean Defense Service Medal
    Armed Forces Service Medal
    Humanitarian Service Medal
    Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
    Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
    Coast Guard Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
    Naval Arctic Service Ribbon
    Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal
    Navy Reserve Sea Service Ribbon
    Navy/Marine Corps Overseas Service
    Army Overseas Service Ribbon
    Air Force Overseas Service Ribbon
    Navy Recruiting Service Ribbon
    USMC Recruiting Service Ribbon
    Marine Corps Security Guard Ribbon
    Navy Recruit Training Service Ribbon
    Coast Guard Spec. Operations Service Ribbon
    Armed Forces Reserve Medal
    Naval Reserve Medal
    Merchant Marine Gallant Ship Unit Citation
    Merchant Marine Combat Bar
    Merchant Marine Korean Service Bar
    Merchant Marine Vietnam Service Bar
    Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal
    Vietnam service (is earned in own name):
    • National Order of Vietnam
    • Military Merit Medal
    • Army Distinguished Service Order
    • Air Force Distinguished Service Order
    • Navy Distinguished Service Order
    • Army Meritorious Service Medal
    • Air Force Meritorious Service Medal
    • Navy Meritorious Service Medal
    • Special Service Medal
    • Gallantry Cross
    • Air Gallantry Cross
    • Navy Gallantry Cross
    • Hazardous Service Medal
    • Life Saving Medal
    • Armed Forces Honor Medal
    • Staff Service Medal
    • Technical Service Medal
    • Training Service Medal
    • Civil Actions Medal
    Philippines Republic Presidential Unit Citation
    Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
    Republic of Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation
    Republic of Viet. Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
    Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Unit Citation
    United Nations Service Medal
    United Nations Medal
    ** NATO Medal - Yugoslavia
    ** NATO Medal - Kosovo
    Multi-National Forces and Observer Medal
    Inter-American Defense Board Medal
    Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
    Kuwait Liberation (Saudi Arabia)
    Kuwait Liberation (Kuwait)
    Navy Rifleman
    Navy Pistol Shot

    ** Note - only the first NATO Medal awarded may be worn. Subsequent awards of either medal are represented by a bronze star on that medal even if it is from the other area of operations.


    Updates can now be found on a different page.
    Last updated 17 DEC 2004 by LCDR M. R. Gustafson II, CEC, USNR (mrg@duke.edu)