Navy and Coast Guard
(Battle/Efficiency) E
Display Recognition

Site Index

      • Example Display Recognition
      • Applicable Military Branches
      • Display Types
      • Issue Requirements
      • History of the Battle E
      • Issue Regulations, Navy
      • Issue Regulations, Coast Guard
      • Administration Processing and Delivery
      • How To Apply For This Display Recognition and/or Medal
      • Mailing Address
      • Questions?
      • Other Display Recognitions
      • Sea Service Websites
      • Example Display Recognition:
        Actual Size: 8 1/2 x 11

        USN

        USCG

        Who May Apply

        • Veteran recipients
        • Active Duty recipients
        • Family Members of recipients
        • Estate Inheritors

        Display Types

        You have four display types to choose from:
        Black & White (No Color)
        Heavy Bond Enclosure

        Heavy Bond Enclosure
        Colors: Regal, Black, Navy
        Trimmed in Appearance Gold

        Ready for Mantle or Shelf Display

        Issue Requirements

        You must submit one of the following:

      • An unaltered photocopy of your DD-214, OR WD AGO 53-55, OR other military issued document clearly displaying your Navy Battle E.
      • Contact The War Library if you do not have a DD-214, WD AGO, NAVPERS, NG or other Report of Separation: 1-562-422-4100 (Pacific Time Zone).
      • NOTICE

        This Display Recognition is available ONLY to authorized recipients who possess orders, or authorization form, or release documentation that confirms award eligibility. (See "Issue Requirements"). To obtain either a Display Medal or a Display Recognition for your authorized award you will be required to provide military-issued documentation authorizing your award. There are no exceptions.

        WARNING!
        You must NOT submit a military issued document or photocopy that:

        • has been altered in any way by you after
          the original's official issue
        • contains information or corrections or
          additions that you entered
        • lists awards or training you knowingly did not receive
        • contains highlighting, colorizing or other markings you entered

        Be advised that on request any knowingly fraudulent document sent by you will be released to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that may result in prosecution and/or fine/imprisonment.

        Email Questions, or Phone: 1-562-422-4100 (Pacific Time Zone)

        Personnel Branch
        Processing and Delivery

        Style Admin Shipping Total
        Full Color .PDF (Printable) $7.50 Emailed $7.50
        Published Document only (Full Color) $14.00 $10.50 USPS $24.50
        Published Document in Heavy Bond Enclosure (Full Color) $19.00 $10.50 USPS $29.50
        Full Color Printable Certificates
        on CD-Rom (minimum 20 Certificates)
        $7.50 $7.50 By Count

      • Total/Shipping fees, above, apply to 50 U.S. states
      • Contact The War Library for international shipping cost
      • How to Apply

        You may apply for your Display Recognition using a...

      • Check Debit card (* Shipped within 1 week)
      • Charge card (* Shipped within 1 week)
      • Personal, Business, Bank or Cashiers Check ( Shipped in 6 weeks)
      • Money Order (* Shipped in 6 weeks)
      • (* Upon reception of required documentation)

        Complete and MAIL this APPLICATION FORM.
        Don't forget to include an unaltered COPY of your DD-214, WD AGO 53-55 or other pre-arranged document(s).

        DISPLAY RECOGNITION and/or MEDAL APPLICATION FORM

        Mailing Address

        Records Chief (REC-AMW)
        The American War Library
        817 East Via Carmelitos Ste 319
        Long Beach CA 90805-7549

        Questions?

        Click here for answers to common questions

        Email: Navy Battle E Display Recognition Inquiry

        Telephone: 1-562-422-4100 (Pacific Time Zone)

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        Issue Regulations


        Navy Battle E

        Establishing Authority


        Click for larger image

        The Navy E, otherwise known as The Battle Efficiency or The Battle Effectiveness award was first created as a patch in 1906. The Navy "E" Ribbon was established in July of 1976 by Secretary of the Navy J. William Middendorf.

        Effective Dates

        Patch: In effect from 1906-1974.
        Ribbon: In effect from July 1, 1974, to the present. Wearers of the patch will convert to the ribbon.

        Criteria

        The Navy "E" Ribbon denotes permanent duty on ships or in squadrons that won the battle efficiency competition after July 1, 1974. This ribbon replaces the "E" patch previously sewn on the right sleeve of the uniform. Wearers of the patch will convert to the ribbon.

        Order of Precedence

        The Navy "E" Ribbon is worn after the Meritorious Unit Commendation and before the Prisoner of War Medal.

        Devices

        A silver "E" one-eighth of an inch high is authorized for wear on the Navy "E" ribbon for first, second, and third awards.

        For four or more awards one wreathed "E" is worn centered on the ribbon bar is authorized.

        A Secretary of the Navy recommendation in June of 1976 established this award to replace the Battle Efficiency Award (the letter "E") which had been worn sewn to the sleeve of the uniform. It is authorized to be worn by all crew members of ships and aviation squadrons winning the fleet-wide eighteen month competitive cycle which has exercises testing all phases of battle readiness. The Battle Efficiency Award, called the Navy Battle "E", in addition to the ribbon, consists of a cloth insignia and a battle pennant to be displayed by the ship or unit winning the award.

        1. Criteria: The Navy "E" Ribbon denotes permanent duty on ships or in squadrons that won the battle efficiency competition after July 1, 1974. This ribbon replaces the "E" patch previously sewn on the right sleeve of the uniform. Wearers of the patch will convert to the ribbon.

        2. Components: A silver "E" one-eighth of an inch high is authorized for wear on the Navy "E" ribbon for first, second, and third awards. For four or more awards one wreathed "E" is worn centered on the ribbon bar is authorized.

        3. Background: A Secretary of the Navy recommendation in June of 1976 established this award to replace the Battle Efficiency Award (the letter "E") which had been worn sewn to the sleeve of the uniform. It is authorized to be worn by all crew members of ships and aviation squadrons winning the fleet-wide eighteen month competitive cycle which has exercises testing all phases of battle readiness. The Battle Efficiency Award, called the Navy Battle "E", in addition to the ribbon, consists of a cloth insignia and a battle pennant to be displayed by the ship or unit winning the award.

        The Navy "E" Ribbon

        Establishing Authority

        The Navy "E" Ribbon was established in July of 1976 by Secretary of the Navy J. William Middendorf.

        Effective Dates

        The Navy "E" Ribbon has been in effect from July 1, 1974, to the present.

        Criteria

        The Navy "E" Ribbon denotes permanent duty on ships or in squadrons that won the battle efficiency competition after July 1, 1974. This ribbon replaces the "E" patch previously sewn on the right sleeve of the uniform.

        Order of Precedence

        The Navy "E" Ribbon is worn after the Meritorious Unit Commendation and before the Prisoner of War Medal.

        Devices

        A silver "E" one-eighth of an inch high is authorized for wear on the Navy "E" ribbon for first, second, and third awards.

        For four or more awards one wreathed "E" is worn centered on the ribbon bar is authorized.

        Navy "E". The Navy "E" ribbon is designed with a 3/16 inch silver "E" attachment centered on the ribbon. Members who earn the second and third award add an additional 3/16 inch silver "E" attachment for each award. Place multiple "E" attachments in a symmetrical, horizontal line in the center of the ribbon. For four or more awards, wear only one 3/16 inch silver wreathed "E" attachment centered on the ribbon.

        A Secretary of the Navy recommendation in June of 1976 established this award to replace the Battle Efficiency Award (the letter "E") which had been worn sewn to the sleeve of the uniform. It is authorized to be worn by all crew members of ships and aviation squadrons winning the fleet-wide eighteen month competitive cycle which has exercises testing all phases of battle readiness. The Battle Efficiency Award, called the Navy Battle "E", in addition to the ribbon, consists of a cloth insignia and a battle pennant to be displayed by the ship or unit winning the award.

        1. Criteria: The Navy "E" Ribbon denotes permanent duty on ships or in squadrons that won the battle efficiency competition after July 1, 1974. This ribbon replaces the "E" patch previously sewn on the right sleeve of the uniform.

        2. Components: A silver "E" one-eighth of an inch high is authorized for wear on the Navy "E" ribbon for first, second, and third awards. For four or more awards one wreathed "E" is worn centered on the ribbon bar is authorized.

        3. Background: A Secretary of the Navy recommendation in June of 1976 established this award to replace the Battle Efficiency Award (the letter "E") which had been worn sewn to the sleeve of the uniform. It is authorized to be worn by all crew members of ships and aviation squadrons winning the fleet-wide eighteen month competitive cycle which has exercises testing all phases of battle readiness. The Battle Efficiency Award, called the Navy Battle "E", in addition to the ribbon, consists of a cloth insignia and a battle pennant to be displayed by the ship or unit winning the award.

        Issue Regulations

        Coast Guard Battle E

        Coast Guard "E" Ribbon. Awarded by area commanders as visible recognition for personnel of Coast Guard cutters earning the overall operational readiness "E" award during Refresher Training, under the following conditions:

        a. All personnel serving aboard their unit for more than 50 percent of the period during which it undergoes Refresher Training are eligible for the "E" Ribbon. Personnel serving less than 50 percent of the period, or personnel who are on leave or TAD during the evolution are not eligible, unless specifically recommended by the commanding officer.

        b. Commanding officers/officers-in-charge may authorize the "E" Ribbon to any member of their command who previously served aboard authorized units upon evidence of their assignment during the training period.

        c. With the exception of the units listed in the List of Eligible Cutters no permanent records of Refresher Training results exist. In order to recognize all ships' crews who have previously met the intent of this policy, individual Commands are encouraged to submit documentation to (G-WPM-1) which will facilitate the addition of those units to the list of eligible cutters.

        d. Requests by individuals who served aboard units shall be forwarded to Commandant (G-WPM-1) for eligibility determination. Approval will be determined subject to supporting documentation accompanying the request. Examples of such supporting documentation include, but are not limited to, the following:

          (1) Letters of appreciation;

          (2) Personal award citations;

          (3) Service record entries or any other documentation available from a member's service record; or

          (4) Any other conclusive evidence that shows that a unit achieved an overall operational readiness "E" award during Refresher Training and the requesting individual was assigned to that unit during the designated Refresher Training period.

        History of the Battle E

        In 1906 President Theodore Roosevelt ordered an "E" to be painted in white on warship gun turrets for those crews that had performed well in the Spanish American War thus establishing the Navy Excellence "E" for gunnery. The "E" was also authorized for wear by the enlisted gun crews earning the award as a round patch with a white "E" worn on the sleeve above the cuff. The placement was moved to the upper right sleeve in the 1950s.

        A red "E" for excellence in engineering and a green "E" for excellence in aviation were similarly rewarded some years after the excellence in gunnery "E" was established.

        Around 1938 a horizontal hash mark was added below the "E" for subsequent awards. In 1957 the horizontal hash mark was changed to a diagonal hash mark.

        In 1960, a gold "E" was authorized to represent the fifth award of the "E" and a gold diagonal hash mark was authorized for each award after the fifth award.

        At some point the "E" came to denote winning competition in readiness for battle efficiency instead of the original "excellence" in Gunnery award and was referred to as the Battle Efficiency "E" after that point. This occurred after 1947.

        The Navy "E" Ribbon denotes permanent duty on ships or in squadrons that won the battle efficiency competition after July 1, 1974. This ribbon replaces the "E" patch previously sewn on the right sleeve of enlisted uniforms.

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