The Commendation Medal was originally a ribbon, and was first issued by the Navy and U.S. Coast Guard in 1943. An Army Commendation Ribbon followed in 1945 and, in 1949, the Navy, Coast Guard, and Army Commendation ribbons were renamed as the "Commendation Ribbon with Medal Pendant". By 1960, the Commendation Ribbons had been authorized as full medals, and were subsequently referred to as Commendation Medals. This is a slide on ribbon.