All stars will be worn with two points
(rays) pointing down. The larger size (5/16 inch for naval
military decorations and 3/16 inch for unit, campaign and
service awards, with the exception of the Navy "E" Ribbon)
is worn on the suspension ribbon of the large medal and
service ribbon or ribbon bar to denote subsequent awards
received. The smaller size (1/8 inch) is worn on miniature
medals. For personal naval military decorations, gold
stars are used for the 2nd through the 5th, 7th through 10th,
12th and so forth. Silver stars are used in lieu of
multiples of five gold stars; i.e. the 6th, 11th, etc. For
unit, campaign and service awards, with the exception of
the Navy "E" Ribbon, bronze and silver stars are used
similarly.
Gold Star:
Gold stars (5/16 inch) is worn for second and subsequent awards
of any Navy Military Decorations.
Bronze Star:
Bronze stars (3/16 inch) on the suspension ribbons
of medals and on ribbons (ribbon bars) of the following for second or
subsequent awards:
Silver Star (5/16 inch and 3/16):
Silver stars is worn in lieu of
five gold or five bronze stars. Silver stars are the same size as the gold or
bronze stars which they replace. Individuals who have received a letter of
commendation from the Secretary of the Navy for performance of duty during WWI
wear a 3/16 inch silver star for each citation on the suspension ribbon and
ribbon (ribbon bar) of the WWI Victory Medal
Letter Devices
Silver "E" (3/16 inch) is authorized for wear
on the Navy "E" Ribbon for first, second and third awards.
For four or more awards one wreathed "E" centered on the
ribbon bar is authorized.
Silver "E" (1/4 inch block letter) is
authorized for wear on the ribbon bar of the Expert
Rifleman and Expert Pistol Shot Medals.
Bronze "S" (1/4 inch block letter) is
authorized for wear on the Navy Rifle/Pistol Marksmanship
ribbon bar for those who qualify as sharpshooter.
Bronze "V" (Combat Distinguishing Device).
Prior to 4 April 1974, the "V" was authorized for wear on
the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Joint Service
Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and Navy
Achievement Medal.
Between 4 April 1974 and 17 January
1991, the "V" was authorized for wear on the Distinguished
Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal and
Navy Commendation Medal.
On 17January 1991, the "V" was authorized for wear on the Legion
of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal,
Air Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and Navy and Marine Corps
Achievement Medal.
The "V" is
authorized for wear on these decorations if the award is
for acts or services involving direct participation in
combat operations. In all cases, the Combat Distinguishing
Device may only be worn if specifically authorized in thecitation. Eligibility for the Combat Distinguishing Device
shall be based solely on acts or services by individuals
who are exposed to personal hazard due to direct hostile
actions, and not upon the geographical area in which the
acts or services are performed. Each case must be judged
on its own merits.
Miscellaneous Devices
Fleet Marine Force (FMF) Combat Operation
Insignia is a miniature bronze Marine Corps emblem and is
authorized for Navy personnel who are assigned or attached
to FMF units in active combat with an armed enemy beginning
with World War II. The Insignia will be worn centered on
the suspension ribbon and ribbon bar of World War II area campaign medals, Korean
Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary
Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Southwest Asia
Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal and, upon approval of
CMC, on future medals so designated. This authorization
applies to Navy personnel attached to and operating with
FMF units, and to Navy personnel attached to Navy units
operating with FMF units and under FMF operational control.
This is a restrictive device; attachment to operations with
a Marine unit is not sufficient to establish eligibility
for this insignia. The Marine unit must have been engaged
in actual combat action during the period of the
individual's service with the unit. Questions regarding
eligibility for the FMF Insignia are addressed via the
Marine Corps chain of command; CMC (MMMA) is the final
authority for eligibility.
Bronze Arabic Numerals (5/16 inch) are
authorized for wear on the Air Medal to denote total number
of Strike/Flight awards.
Oak-Leaf Cluster.
The oak-leaf cluster is worn the service and suspension ribbon of all Defense, Army
and Air Force decorations and the Joint Meritorious Unit
Award. The larger size (13/32 inch) is worn on the
suspension ribbon of the medal and the smaller size (5/16 inch) on the service
ribbon or ribbon bar.
The bronze oak-leaf
cluster is used for the 2nd through 5th, 7th through10th, and so forth.
The silver oak-leaf cluster is used for
the 6th, 11th and so forth, entitlement or award, or in
lieu of five bronze oak-leaf clusters.
Airlift Device.
Navy and Marine Corps personnel serving at least 90 consecutive days with units in direct support
of the Berlin Airlift between 26 June 1948 - 30 September 1949 are eligible to
wear a gold color miniature of a "C-54" type aircraft centered on the suspension
ribbon of the Navy Occupation Service Medal and on the ribbon(bar) with the nose
pointing upward at a 30 degree angle and toward the wearer's right. If a clasp
is worn on the suspension ribbon of the medal, center the airlift device above
it.
Hour Glass and "M" Devices.
Naval and Marine Corps reserve personnel may be awarded an hour glass device in lieu of a subsequent Armed Forces Reserve Medal (AFRM) for each 10 years of service. The initial AFRM and ribbon are designed with a bronze hour
glass attachment centered on the suspension ribbon of the medal and centered on
the ribbon for the first 10-year period. For the second 10-year period, a silver
hour glass is awarded; third 10-year period, a gold hour glass is awarded; and
fourth 10-year period, a gold hour glass followed by a bronze hour glass is
awarded. A bronze "M" device, if awarded, may be worn on the AFRM with a number
indicating the number of times it is awarded.
Antarctica Wintered Over Disc
Personnel who
Clasps
Wear clasps on the suspension ribbon of large medals only, and below other
attachments. Place bronze stars, letters, or other devices in lieu of clasps
on the suspension ribbon of miniature medals and on ribbons (bars)
American Defense Service Medal.
Wear "Fleet" and "Base" clasps with this
medal to denote service in the fleet and overseas bases respectively.
Antarctica Service Medal.
Personnel who have
stayed on the Antarctica continent during the winter months are eligible to
wear a bronze "Wintered Over" clasp with this medal. A gold clasp is authorized
for a second wintering over period and silver clasp for three or more wintering
over periods. Not more than one clasp is worn on the ribbon.
Gold Star:
Bronze Star:
Silver Star (5/16 inch and 3/16):
Bronze "V" (Combat Distinguishing Device).
Fleet Marine Force (FMF) Combat Operation
Insignia is a miniature bronze Marine Corps emblem and is
authorized for Navy personnel who are assigned or attached
to FMF units in active combat with an armed enemy beginning
with World War II. The Insignia will be worn centered on
the suspension ribbon and ribbon bar of World War II area campaign medals, Korean
Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary
Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Southwest Asia
Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal and, upon approval of
CMC, on future medals so designated. This authorization
applies to Navy personnel attached to and operating with
FMF units, and to Navy personnel attached to Navy units
operating with FMF units and under FMF operational control.
This is a restrictive device; attachment to operations with
a Marine unit is not sufficient to establish eligibility
for this insignia. The Marine unit must have been engaged
Oak-Leaf Cluster.
Airlift Device. 
Hour Glass and "M" Devices. 
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