Does anyone know of a tradition/regulation governing wear of only one's highest personal award?

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 May 2016 13:20:43 -0400

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2016 1:22 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 May 2016 13:22:56 -0400

Folks-I'm researching some historic uniform regulations specific to the U.S. Navy during WWI though WWII. I've noticed that some officers only wear one to three ribbons on SDB and SDW/SDK. Today, we wear the full "fruit salad"...Does anyone know if this was due to the relatively small number of awards, because there was a convention/tradition of only wearing one's highest, or any other amplifying information?

Response by SFC John Hill made May 19 at 2016 2:25 PM

SFC John Hill — Thu, 19 May 2016 14:25:23 -0400

I don’t know what the Navy Regulations are, but in The Army, Commanders may require the wear of authorized awards on the following occasions: (1) Parades, reviews, inspections, and funerals. (2) Ceremonial and social occasions. Unless directed by a commander, authorized awards are worn at the option of the wearer.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2016 3:39 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 May 2016 15:39:02 -0400

I figured that was completely up to the Soldier unless it is a DA Photo.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 19 at 2016 6:50 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Thu, 19 May 2016 18:50:25 -0400

What's a Personal Award?

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made May 19 at 2016 10:24 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Thu, 19 May 2016 22:24:57 -0400

There's been a tradition in the Navy for folk to wear, at their option, the top three. I did that because it was easier for everyday khaki wear. As Always, the Army has a reg for everything in more excruciating detail.

Response by PO3 William Farinas made May 24 at 2016 11:04 AM

PO3 William Farinas — Tue, 24 May 2016 11:04:25 -0400

I am not sure about the officers, but for us enlisted guys we get to wear all of our awards, ribbons all the time while in our whites or blues. Medals only on special occasions. I know officers always wore there highest awards only except during special events like the enlisted. I do not know who came up with that rule.

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2016 7:11 AM

LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 May 2016 07:11:17 -0400

Article 5312 of the Navy uniform regs governs wear of medals, ribbons, and badges. Under 3. Arrangement - "...Arrange ribbons in order of precedence in rows from top down, inboard to outboard. Wear either the three senior ribbons, or all ribbons if you have earned three or more..."

I have never seen anything about wearing only the top one ribbon (unless you only have one) while in uniform.

Response by PO1 Dale Allred made May 25 at 2016 7:19 AM

PO1 Dale Allred — Wed, 25 May 2016 07:19:43 -0400

When I was in the Reserves with VRC-46 at NAS Atlanta The Master Chief and myself had this discussion. Navy reg's state the top 3 awards. Now after my 4th deployment to the war zone and 20+ years of service he "Asked" me to wear EVEYTHING. I did and looked real "lop sided" lol

Response by PO1 Rick Serviss made May 25 at 2016 8:55 AM

PO1 Rick Serviss — Wed, 25 May 2016 08:55:41 -0400

I have heard of that but have never seen anything in writing. I understood if your highest award was MOH, that's all you had to wear. Not sure if it's true.

Response by LTC Tom McNew made Dec 3 at 2019 1:44 PM

LTC Tom McNew — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 13:44:42 -0500

When the JS was transitioning back from ACUs to Class B's (Army Lingo!!??!!), there was a short time period when folks from all the services - except the Marines - would only wear their top three awards in a single line in lieu of the entire ribbon rack.
I worked in the J7, had a Marine for a Dep't Director, so I followed his lead and didn't look back. Plus I think it looks stupid to only have one line of ribbons and be a FG Officer or Sr NCO!!!