Posted on Nov 10, 2019
SPC John Hamilton
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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?
Posted in these groups: Us medals AwardsRibbons logo RibbonsRibbons banner2 Medals
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Responses: 11
MAJ Byron Oyler
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If it is ribbon in the title, not medal, then it has no medal associated.
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LTC Jason Mackay
LTC Jason Mackay
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True, context clues.
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LTC Stephen C.
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Edited 6 y ago
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Yes indeed, SPC John Hamilton. Some awards are ribbons only. The Army Service Ribbon is a notable example.
Sgt (Join to see)
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CW2 Electronic Warfare Technician
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Ribbons do not have medals, medals have ribbons.
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Jeff J.
Jeff J.
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True
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Do some ribbons (left side) not have medals?
Lt Col Charlie Brown
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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.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
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Edited 6 y ago
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.
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Sgt Field Radio Operator
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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
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SSG Trevor S.
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Army Service Ribbon, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, ect... are not medals.
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Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
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Uh, ya, you need to read up on awards and decs!
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LTC Stephen C.
LTC Stephen C.
6 y
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Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
6 y
LTC Stephen C. Spoon feeding has always pissed me off! :-)
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LTC Stephen C.
LTC Stephen C.
6 y
We must do what we can, Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen! ;)
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Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
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SPC John Hamilton
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Thank you so much!
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MSgt Gerald Orvis
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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.
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