Combat Action Ribbon - Navy/Marine Corps

Navy/Marine Corps

The Combat Action Ribbon was established by Secretary of the Navy Notice (SECNAVNOTE 1650), dated February 17, 1969 with retroactive award to March 1, 1961.

Public Law 106-65--Oct. 5, 1999, 113 STAT.588, G, Sec. 564 (Pub.L. 106-65), "Retroactive Award of the Navy Combat Action Ribbon", permitted the Secretary of the Navy to award the Combat Action Ribbon to a member of the Navy or Marine Corps for participation in ground or surface combat during any period on or after Dec. 7, 1941, and or before March 1, 1961, if the Secretary determines that the member has not been previously recognized in an appropriate manner for such participation.

Personnel who earned the Combat Infantryman Badge or Combat Medical Badge while a member of the United States Army may be authorized to wear the Combat Action Ribbon upon application to the Department of the Navy. As of May 2005, the United States Army has created a new decoration known as the Combat Action Badge (previously known as the Combat Recognition Ribbon) which is considered the direct Army equivalent to the Combat Action Ribbon, though the CAB is not available to infantry or medical Soldiers who are in combat arms units, and is available to officers at or below the rank of Colonel.

Retroactive awards of the Combat Action Ribbon, for retired, deceased, or discharged personnel, are handled by the Navy Liaison Officer to the National Personnel Records Center.

While any eligible Sailor or Marine may receive the ribbon, SECNAVINST 1650.1H lists units and operations whose members or participants are authorized to wear it.

The Navy/Marine Corps version of the Combat Action Ribbon may be awarded to members of the Coast Guard if they are operating with a Navy or Marine Corps unit.