National Defense Ribbon

The National Defense Ribbon is a United States military award that is presented to members of the Armed Forces who have served in active duty during periods of war or national emergency. The ribbon is awarded to service members who have served honorably during these periods, regardless of their location or specific role. The National Defense Ribbon is one of the most commonly awarded medals in the US military, with over 10 million recipients since its inception in 1953.

The National Defense Ribbon was established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on April 22, 1953, with Executive Order 10448. The medal was created to recognize the service and sacrifices of military personnel who served during the Korean War, and it has since been awarded for service during the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the War on Terror. The ribbon is awarded to members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard who have served on active duty during a designated period of war or national emergency.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the National Defense Ribbon, service members must have served on active duty during a designated period of war or national emergency. The specific eligibility criteria vary depending on the conflict or emergency, but generally, service members must have served for a minimum of 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days during the designated period. The National Defense Ribbon is typically awarded to service members who have served in a combat zone or who have participated in a designated military operation.

Authorized Periods of Service

The National Defense Ribbon has been authorized for several periods of service, including the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the War on Terror. The specific dates for each authorized period are as follows:

Award Criteria

The National Defense Ribbon is awarded to service members who have served honorably during a designated period of war or national emergency. The award criteria are as follows:

Service members must have served on active duty during a designated period of war or national emergency. The specific eligibility criteria vary depending on the conflict or emergency, but generally, service members must have served for a minimum of 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days during the designated period.

The National Defense Ribbon is typically awarded to service members who have served in a combat zone or who have participated in a designated military operation. The medal is also awarded to service members who have served in support roles, such as logistics, intelligence, and communications.

Devices and Clasps

The National Defense Ribbon may be awarded with devices and clasps to indicate additional service or achievements. The following devices and clasps are authorized:

Bronze Star: A bronze star is authorized for each additional award of the National Defense Ribbon. The bronze star is worn on the ribbon to indicate multiple awards.

"V" Device: The "V" device is authorized for service members who have engaged in combat during a designated period of war or national emergency. The "V" device is worn on the ribbon to indicate combat service.