United States Navy
Marksman, Sharpshooter and Expert Rifle
Marksman, Sharpshooter and Expert Pistol
Qualification Badge Display Recognitions

Site Index

Type One
Type Two

Type Three

        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

        Trimmed in Appearance Gold

        Ready for Mantle or Shelf Display

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

        Issue Requirements
        You must submit ONE of the following:

      • A photocopy of your DD-214 (post WW2), OR photocopy of WD AGO 53-55 (WW2)
      • Or, a photocopy of general orders
      • Or, a photocopy of training record
      • 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 Price 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 prices, 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 a copy of your DD-214 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?

        Email: Navy Rifle and Pistol Expert Recognition Inquiry

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

        Copyright ©  The American War Library
        Military and Veteran Websites
        The G.I. Photograph Museum of Honor
        Locator Registry Applications
        Accessing The Worldwide Military Personnel Database

        Issue Regulations

        Marksman, Sharpshooter and Expert Medals and Ribbons

        Establishing Authority

        Established on October 14, 1969, by the Secretary of the Navy John H. Chafee when he redesignated the ribbon to the Expert Pistol Shot Medal to permit marksman and sharpshooters to wear the ribbon for qualifying below the expert level. Marksmen wear the Expert ribbon with the letter "M". Sharpshooters wear the Expert ribbon with the letter "S".

        Effective Dates

        October 14, 1969.

        Criteria

        Worn for scoring at the marksman, sharpshooter or expert level of qualification on a prescribed course of fire for the rifle.

        Order of Precedence

        Worn after all other ribbons.

        Devices

        Navy Expert Marksman: Qualification at the Marksman level entitles the individual to wear the ribbon with the "M" (for Marksman) device. The Expert Marksman medal is indicated by the letter "M".

        Navy Expert Sharpshooter: Qualification at the Sharpshooter level entitles the individual to wear the ribbon with the "S" (for Sharpshooter) device. The Expert Sharpshooter medal is indicated by the letter "S".

        Navy Expert: Qualification at the Expert level entitles the individual to wear the ribbon with the "E" (for Expert) device. The Expert Sharpshooter medal is indicated worn without any device.

        Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal: Established in 1920 and awarded to all personnel of the United States Navy and Naval Reserves who have qualified as "Expert" pistol shots on prescribed courses. An unadorned ribbon signifies "Marksman". The same ribbon with a bronze "S" signifies "Sharpshooter". Navy personnel who obtain a first and second "Expert" qualification wear the ribbon bar with a bronze "E". Upon attaining the third and final "Expert" qualification, a silver "E" is attached to the ribbon.

        Rifle Marksman Ribbon

        Establishing Authority

        The Rifle Marksmanship ribbon was established on October 14, 1969, by Secretary of the Navy John H. Chafee when he re-designated the ribbon to the Expert Rifleman Medal to permit marksman and sharpshooters to wear the ribbon for qualifying below the expert level.

        Effective Dates

        The Rifle Marksmanship ribbon has been in effect since October 14, 1969.

        Criteria

        The Rifle Marksmanship ribbon is worn for scoring at the marksman, sharpshooter or expert level of qualification on a prescribed course of fire for the rifle.

        Order of Precedence

        The Rifle Marksmanship ribbon is worn after the Distinguished Marksman and Pistol Shot ribbon and before the Pistol Marks-manship ribbon.

        Devices

        Qualification at the marksman level entitles the individual to wear the ribbon without device.

        Qualification at the sharpshooter level is indicated by a silver letter "S"

        Qualification at the Expert level is indicated by a silver "E" on the ribbon.

        Navy Expert Rifleman Medal

        Established in 1920 to replace the Navy Sharpshooters Medal created in 1910, and awarded by the Chief of Naval personnel to those members of the United States Navy or Naval Reserve who qualify as "Expert" with either rifle or carbine on a prescribed military rifle course. An unadorned ribbon signifies "Marksman". The same ribbon with a bronze "S" signifies "Sharpshooter". Navy personnel who obtain a first and second "Expert" qualification wear the ribbon bar with a bronze "E". Upon attaining the third and final "Expert" qualification, a silver "E" is attached to the ribbon.