Coast Guard Commandant
Letter Of Commendation
Display Recognition

Site Index

      • Example Display Recognition
      • Display Types
      • Issue Requirements
      • Issue Regulations
      • Who May Apply
      • Administration Processing and Delivery
      • How To Apply For This Display Recognition and/or Medal
      • Mailing Address
      • Questions?
      • Other Display Recognitions
      • Naval Service Websites
      • Example Display Recognition:
        Actual Size: 8 1/2 x 11



        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 inAppearance Gold

        Ready for Mantle or Shelf Display

        Issue Requirements
        You must submit the following:

      • An unaltered photocopy of your DD-214, WD AGO, NAVPERS, NG or other military issued document clearly displaying your award of the Coast Guard Commandant Letter of Commendation.
      • 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: USCG LOC Display Recognition Inquiry

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

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        Issue Regulations


        Coast Guard Achievement

        Among the oldest of the awards presented to members of the U.S. Coast Guard, the Commandant's Letter of Commendation has always been in the form of a letter or commendation certificate. The ribbon bar was established on March 17, 1979, by the Commandant, to accompany the Letter of Commendation. It is awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces, serving in any capacity with the U.S. Coast Guard, for an act or service resulting in unusual or outstanding achievement.

        Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbon

        Establishing Authority

        The Commandant's Letter of Commendation was established on August 12, 1921, by Commandant of the Coast Guard Rear Admiral William F. Reynolds. The Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbon was established on March 17, 1979, by Commandant of the Coast Guard Admiral John B. Hayes.

        Effective Dates

        The Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbon was made retroactive to all recipients of the Commandant's Letter of Commendation; hence, it has effect from August 12, 1921 to the present.

        Criteria

        The Commandant's Letter of Commendation was originally created to enable the Secretary of the Treasury or the Commandant to address a Letter of Commendation to any individual in the Coast Guard for "meritorious service resulting in unusual and outstanding achieve-ment rendered while the Coast Guard is serving under Treasury Department jurisdiction."

        The current ribbon is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States, serving in any capacity with the Coast Guard, for an act or service resulting in unusual or outstanding achievement, whose performance is less than that required for the Coast Guard Achievement Medal. NOTE: This ribbon is considered a personal decoration.

        Order of Precedence

        The Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbon is worn after the Achievement Medal and before the Navy Combat Action Ribbon.

        Restriction

        The Coast Guard Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbon may not be worn on the Navy or Marine Corps uniform.

        Devices

        Since this ribbon is considered a personal decoration, additional awards are denoted by gold stars five-sixteenths of an inch in diameter (a silver star of the same size denotes a sixth award).

        The Operational Distinguishing Device, a silver O, may be authorized for wear on this ribbon.