Commandant's Letter of Commendation — Military Decorations

Commandant's Letter of Commendation Medal and Ribbon Design Images

The Commandant's Letter of Commendation comes with a unique service ribbon, which is worn on the recipient's uniform in situations where the full medal is not worn. If you have earned this decoration, you can wear the service ribbon on your ribbon rack.

What is the Commandant's Letter of Commendation Decoration?

The ribbon is most notable for its motley mix of colours. The ribbon features five different colours. It is bisected by a thick vertical turquoise stripe flanked on either side by a thin stripe of light blue, one of yellow, a thicker brown stripe, and green edging proceeding outward.

The United States military sorts decorations into categories called Classes and Types. The Commandant's Letter of Commendation medal is classified as a Personal Decoration of the type Achievement Medal.

How Do You Earn the Commandant's Letter of Commendation?

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. Since the first LOC in 1921, a ribbon has been issued in its honor. The Commandant’s Letter of Commendation Ribbon with the Operational Distinguishing Device may be authorized for operational and field condition achievements.

Displaying the Commandant's Letter of Commendation

The Order of Precedence of the Commandant's Letter of Commendation is 36, and this precedence is used when placing the associated service ribbon on your uniform ribbon rack. You can see a full list of decorations in the order of precedence on the Decorations homepage.

Additional awards are represented by wearing a 5/16th inch Gold Star device on the service ribbon. An Operational "O" device is approved under certain circumstances. The Commandant’s Letter of Commendation Ribbon is below the Coast Guard Achievement Medal in order of precedence.

Commandant's Letter of Commendation Associated Branches

Coast Guard

Commandant's Letter of Commendation Associated Branches

Coast Guard

Commandant's Letter of Commendation and the Stolen Valor Act

The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 is a federal law that makes it illegal for any person to falsely claim to be the recipient of certain military awards, "with the intention of obtaining money, property, or other tangible benefit by convincing another that he or she received the award".This decoration is covered by the Stolen Valor act. Fraudulently claiming to have received a Commandant's Letter of Commendation can result in punishment including a fine, imprisonment for not more than one year, or both


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