Coast Guard Combat Action Ribbon
Criteria:
The Coast Guard Combat Action Ribbon (CGCAR) is an award for Coast Guard personnel who render satisfactory performance under enemy fire while actively participating in a ground or maritime engagement. Criteria also included Guardsmen who have had direct exposure to IEDs used by an enemy and those who serve in clandestine or special operations and are restricted in their ability to return fire due to the risk from enemy fire.
Created in July of 2008, it was originally required that Coast Guard personnel who had previously earned the Combat Action Badge while in the Army or the Combat Action Ribbon while in the Navy or Marine Corps wear the new Coast Guard version of the ribbon. However, that requirement has since been modified to allow for the wearing of the Navy and Marine Corps version of the ribbon.
Additional awards of the Combat Action Ribbon are represented by wearing a Gold or Silver 5/16th inch stars on the service ribbon.