Coast Guard Overseas Service Ribbon
Display Recognition

Site Index

      • Example Display Recognition
      • Display Types
      • Issue Requirements
      • Issue Regulations
      •    Change To Eligibility Policy
      • Who May Apply
      • Administration Processing and Delivery
      • How To Apply For This Display Recognition and/or Medal
      • Mailing Address
      • Questions?
      • Other Display Recognitions
      • Coast Guard Overseas 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 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 Coast Guard Overseas Service Ribbon.
      • 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: Coast Guard Overseas Service Ribbon Display Recognition Inquiry

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

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        Issue Regulations
        Coast Guard Overseas Service Ribbon

        Establishing Authority


        Click for larger image

        The Overseas Service Ribbon was established by the Commandant of the Coast Guard in 2010. The Overseas Service Ribbon is authorized to Coast Guard service members who have or shall meet the following criteria:

        1. Active duty members of the Coast Guard on a permanent assignment and who successfully complete a tour of duty of at least 12 months at an overseas shore-based duty station or on-board a cutter permanently assigned to an overseas area.

        2. Inactive duty members of the Coast Guard who are permanently assigned and have satisfactorily completed a minimum of 36 cumulative days of service at an overseas duty station during each 12 month period of the required tour length as established for active duty personnel. For eligibility purposes, two Inactive Duty for Training (IDT) periods equal one day of qualifying service (travel time does not count).

        3. Reservists on exstended active duty must fulfill the active duty service requirements to be eligible for this ribbon.

        4. Reservists mobilized and eligible for the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" device are required to serve six months consecutive or 12 months cumulative at an overseas shore-based duty station or on-board a cutter permanently assigned overseas in an area receiving Imminent Danger Pay.

        "Overseas" is defined as duty outside the United States, including U.S. Territories, at shore-based commands and cutters permanently assigned overseas. Duty on board U.S. based deploying ships or units does not qualify.

        Personnel who receive or who are eligible to receive the Coast Guard Restricted Duty Ribbon (or an award for similar service from another branch of the armed forces) are not eligible to receive the Coast Guard Overseas Service Ribbon for the same period, and no waivers or exceptions are authorized.

        This ribbon may be awarded retroactively to personnel who are credited with completion of a tour of at least 12 months of overseas duty at a shore-based duty station. Individuals requesting awards for service prior to the approval date are eligible for the initial award only.

        The Overseas Service Ribbon is worn after the Coast Guard Restricted Duty Ribbon and before the Coast Guard Basic Training Honor Graduate Ribbon. This ribbon may not be worn on the Navy or Marine Corps uniforms. A bronze service star three-sixteenths of an inch in diameter is authorized for each subsequent award (a silver service star of the same size denotes a sixth award).

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