Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbon

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The Commandant’s Letter of Commendation Ribbon is the highest personal ribbon award of the United States Coast Guard. The decoration was established in March 1979 by Admiral John B. Hayes.

The Commandant’s Letter of Commendation Ribbon is awarded to any member of the Coast Guard who receives a Letter of Commendation from the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard. The ribbon is retroactive to August 12, 1921 which was when the Commandant’s Commendation Letter was first issued by Admiral William F. Reynolds.

Additional awards of the Commandant’s Letter of Commendation Ribbon are denoted by service stars, in lieu of additional ribbon bars. The Commandant’s Letter of Commendation Ribbon is considered a personal decoration subordinate to the Coast Guard Achievement Medal.

For those who earn the Commandant’s Letter of Commendation Ribbon through operational and field condition achievements, the Operational Distinguishing Device is authorized.