Do some ribbons (left side) not have medals?

SPC John Hamilton — Sun, 10 Nov 2019 17:48:10 -0500

I am ordering medals for my ribbons and two of the ribbons I can not find medals for. Are there some awards that have ribbons but not medals?

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Nov 10 at 2019 6:24 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Sun, 10 Nov 2019 18:24:19 -0500

Yes indeed, SPC John Hamilton. Some awards are ribbons only. The Army Service Ribbon is a notable example.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Nov 10 at 2019 6:27 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Sun, 10 Nov 2019 18:27:42 -0500

If it is ribbon in the title, not medal, then it has no medal associated.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2019 6:30 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Nov 2019 18:30:18 -0500

As a Marine, my Combat Action Ribbon doe not have a medal. I think the Army might be the same way with some ribbons, but someone with knowledge in this area will provide you with the correct answer. In my shadow box, I have my items on one side and my Father's items on the other side. I do not have my Father's medals and will be ordering them. I only have ribbons for myself and I am also thinking of ordering these medals. Good luck.

https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records-center/awards-and-decorations

awards-and-decorations

Response by SPC John Hamilton made Nov 10 at 2019 6:32 PM

SPC John Hamilton — Sun, 10 Nov 2019 18:32:10 -0500

Thank you so much!

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Nov 10 at 2019 6:42 PM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Sun, 10 Nov 2019 18:42:16 -0500

Uh, ya, you need to read up on awards and decs!

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Nov 10 at 2019 6:48 PM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Sun, 10 Nov 2019 18:48:04 -0500

Definitely. Quite a few ribbons do not have medal status. The AF has overseas tour ribbons (short and long), longevity ribbon, marksmanship ribbon all come to mind.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Nov 10 at 2019 8:50 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Sun, 10 Nov 2019 20:50:12 -0500

Army Service Ribbon, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, ect... are not medals.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2019 8:55 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Nov 2019 20:55:14 -0500

Ribbons do not have medals, medals have ribbons.

Response by MSgt Gerald Orvis made Nov 10 at 2019 9:59 PM

MSgt Gerald Orvis — Sun, 10 Nov 2019 21:59:45 -0500

You'll find your answer for the Army in the other responses. For the Marine Corps, there are several ribbon-only awards/decorations. I remember the first one, the Navy and Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon, came out in 1969. We were issued the ribbon and were told that a medal would be forthcoming, since this was considered a personal decoration. As things turned out, no medal was issued - apparently the Department of the Navy thought that getting a medal designed and struck by the U.S. Mint was too much. So they went the cheap route (back in those days a ribbon cost about 25 cents), and have followed up with other ribbon-only award ribbons. Of course, unit citation awards have always been ribbon-only devices. I've always been rather contemptuous of ribbon-only award ribbons - I think they represent the route of least resistance by DoD and the Services when service men and women put in a lot of work for those awards. Of course, I have long wondered why the Services have so many ribbons and medals - most seem like participation awards. The only ones I really respect are awards for combat valor and enlisted good conduct medals.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Nov 10 at 2019 10:54 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sun, 10 Nov 2019 22:54:24 -0500

SPC John Hamilton Most Definitely. I Have 9 Ribbons but only 5 Medals. Just the Nature of the Beast. It Does Get Confusing in Full Dress with Medals and Ribbons.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Nov 11 at 2019 7:03 AM

CW4 Craig Urban — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 07:03:25 -0500

I have 5 Army Commendation medals. A campaign ribbon. Meritorious service medal. German Sport Medal.