Along with the SSBN Deterrent Patrol insignia, the Submarine Combat Patrol breast insignia is just one of two pins that U.S. Navy submariners can be awarded for successful completion of a patrol. To earn this insignia, however, the crewmembers must haven on patrol during an officially declared war, something that has not been in effect since the Japanese signed surrender papers on September 2, 1945 aboard the USS Missouri.
The Submarine Combat Patrol pin is awarded to Navy personnel who are assigned to submarine and complete at least one successful combat patrol, defined either as sinking (or assisting in the sinking) or at least one enemy vessel or the accomplishment of a combat mission that is considered as equally important. Ultimately, the decision of whether a patrol is successful comes down to the Task Force commander under whom the submarine was operating.
A side-view of a World War II-era Gato-class submarine forms the basis of the insignia. In the middle of the pin is a scroll with three holes to hold stars representing successful patrols, gold for single missions and silver for five (the pin itself represents one mission). Sailors do not need to have earned their Submarine qualification in order to be eligible to wear this insignia.