The Commandant’s Letter of Commendation Ribbon is the highest personal ribbon award of the United States Coast Guard. The decoration was established in March of 1979 by Admiral John B. Hayes.
The Commandant’s Letter of Commendation Ribbon is awarded to any member of the Coast Guard who receives a Letter of Commendation from the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard. The ribbon is retroactive to August 12, 1921 which was when the Commandant’s Commendation Letter was first issued by Admiral William F. Reynolds.
Additional awards of the Commandant’s Letter of Commendation Ribbon are denoted by award stars. The decoration does not use service stars, since the Commandant’s Letter of Commendation Ribbon is considered a personal decoration equivalent to the Coast Guard Achievement Medal.
For those who earn the Commandant’s Letter of Commendation Ribbon through operational and field condition achievements, the Operational Distinguishing Device is authorized.