Combat Action Ribbon
Establishing Authority
The Combat Action Ribbon
was established on
Effective Dates
The Combat Action Ribbon
originally took effect on
Criteria
The Combat Action Ribbon
is a personal decoration awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and
Coast Guard (when operating under the control of the Navy) in the grade of
captain (or colonel in the Marine Corps) and below who have actively
participated in ground or surface combat.
Personnel
who earned the Combat Infantryman Badge or Combat Medical Badge while a member
of the Army may be authorized to wear the Combat Action Ribbon. The principal criterion is that
the recipient must have participated in a bona fide ground or surface combat
firefight or in an action during which he was under enemy fire and his
performance while under fire was satisfactory.
Order of Precedence
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Navy Unit Commendation
Established by order of the Secretary of
the Navy, 18 December 1944, it is awarded by the Secretary to any ship,
aircraft, detachment, or other unit of the naval service of the United States
Navy which has, subsequent to 6 December 1941, distinguished itself by
outstanding heroism in action against the enemy, but not sufficient to justify
award of the Presidential Unit Citation.
India Co NUC 5-8May68; Mike Co NUC 5-8 May 1968 also India NUC 6Apr-0Jul88
Navy Meritorious Unit
Commendation
Established by order of the
Secretary of the Navy, 17 July 1967, it is awarded by the Secretary to any unit
of the Navy or Marine Corps which has distinguished itself under combat or noncombat conditions, by either valorous or meritorious achievement
compared to other units performing similar service, but not sufficient to
justify the award of the Navy Unit Commendation.
National Defense Service Medal
Criteria: a. The National Defense Service
Medal was awarded for honorable active service for any period between
(1) Guard and Reserve
forces personnel on short tours of duty to fulfill training obligations under
an inactive duty training program.
(2) Any person on active duty
for the sole purpose of undergoing a physical examination.
(3) Any person on
temporary active duty to serve on boards, courts, commissions and like
organizations or on active duty for purposes other than extended active duty.
(4) A one time only exception,
for members of the Army National Guard and United States Army Reserve, who were
part of the selected reserve in good standing, was authorized, per executive
orders 12778, dated
b. The National Defense
Service Medal may be awarded to members of the Reserve Components who are
ordered to Federal active duty, regardless of duration, except for the
categories listed above. Any member of the Guard or Reserve who, after
c. To signify receipt of a second or subsequent award of
the NDSM, a bronze service star will be worn on the service ribbon by U.S. Army
personnel so qualified. Second or third award of the NDSM is authorized for
soldiers who served in one or more of the four qualifying time periods. It is
not authorized for soldiers who met the criteria in one time period, left
active duty and returned during the same period of eligibility.
Criteria: a. Awarded to all members of the
Armed Forces of the
(1) Be attached to or regularly serve for one or more days with an organization
participating in or directly supporting military operations; or
(2) Be attached to or regularly serve for one or more days aboard a naval
vessel directly supporting military operations; or
(3) Actually participate as a crewmember in one or more aerial flights into
airspace above
(4) Serve on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days
in
b.
Individuals qualified for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for service in
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Criteria: The
a.
Served in the
b.
Served outside the geographical limits of the
c. Six months service is not required for individuals who
were wounded by hostile forces; killed in action or otherwise in line of duty;
or captured by hostile forces.
Dates of Awards
PUC Entire Bn14 Apr-23 Dec '65 (SU 3rd Mar Div)
15 May
MUC 3-4 Bn
3-4 Bn 13 - 31 Jan '68 (Less K
Co)
3-4 Bn 5 - 30 Nov '68 (SU 9th Mar)
K Co 13 - 15 May '68 (SU
2dBn 3rd Mar)
NUC Co's I & M 5 - 8
May '68 (SU 3rd Marines)