Coast Guard Medal
Display Recognition

Site Index

      • Sample 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

        • Sample Display Recognition:


        Who May Apply

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

        Display Types

        You have three display types to choose from:
        Heavy Bond Enclosure
        or EnDurable Acrylux© Frame
        or Classic Deluxe Frame

        Heavy Bond Enclosure
        Colors: Regal, Black, Navy
        Trimmed inAppearance Gold

        Ready for Mantle or Shelf Display

        EnDurable Acrylux© Frame
        Colors: Chocolate Brown or Black
        Trimmed inAppearance Gold
        Ready for Wall or Shelf Display

        Classic Deluxe
        Color: Appearance Gold
        Ready for Wall or Shelf Display

        Issue Requirements
        You must submit the following:

      • An unaltered photocopy of your DD-214 or other military issued document clearly displaying your award of the Coast Guard Medal.

      • Contact The War Library if you do not have a DD-214 or other military issued documentation authorizing your award: 1-310-532-0634.

        • 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: 310-532-0634

        Personnel Branch
        Processing and Delivery

        Style Admin Shipping Total
        Heavy Bond Enclosure $19.00 $6.60 $25.60
        EnDurable Acrylux© Frame $21.00 $6.60 $27.60
        Classic Gold Frame $24.00 $8.60 $32.60

      • 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 within 1 week)

        • (* 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
        16907 Brighton Avenue
        Gardena CA 90247-5420

        Questions?

        Click here for answers to common questions

        Email: USCG Medal Display Recognition Inquiry

        Telephone: 1-310-532-0634

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        Accessing The Personnel Registry

        Issue Regulations


        Coast Guard Medal

        Authorized in 1951, but not produced until 1958, it is awarded to any person serving in any capacity with the Coast Guard who shall distinguish himself by heroism not involving actual conflict with the enemy. The individual must have performed a voluntary act of courage surpassing normal expectation and in the face of great danger. For an act of lifesaving, the individual must have displayed heroism at the risk of his life.

        Establishing Authority

        The Coast Guard Medal was established by Act of Congress (Public Law 207, 81st Congress) on August 4, 1949.

        Effective Dates

        The Coast Guard Medal has been in effect since August 4, 1949.

        Criteria

        The Coast Guard Medal is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces who, while serving in any capacity with the Coast Guard, distinguishes himself or herself by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy. To justify this decoration, the individual must have performed a voluntary act of heroism in the face of great personal danger of such a magnitude that it stands out distinctly above normal expectations.

        Order of Precedence

        The Coast Guard Medal is worn after the Distinguished Flying Cross and before the Gold Lifesaving Medal.

        Devices

        Additional awards of the Coast Guard Medal are denoted by Gold Stars.

        Designer/Sculptor

        The Coast Guard Medal was designed and sculpted by Thomas Hudson Jones (1892-1969) of the Army's Institute of Heraldry.

        First Recipients

        The first Coast Guard Medals were awarded to Engineman Third Class Earl A. Leyda and Boatswain's Mate third Class Raymond A. Johnson in June of 1958.

        Description and Symbolism

        Obverse

        The Seal of the United States Coast Guard appears in the center of a bronze octagon. The Seal is contained within a border of continuous cable. The octagon shape was adopted from the shape used by the Soldier's Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, and the Seal in the center refers to Coast Guard service. The border of continuous cable refers to both naval service and perfection of ideals in the service of man.

        Reverse

        In raised letters, the inscription FOR HEROISM with space for engraving the recipient's name.

        Ribbon

        Central and edge stripes of light blue; and centered on either half of the ribbon a field of white containing three red stripes. The colors of the ribbon were adapted from those of the Coast Guard Seal.