Navy Reserve Special Commendation

BACK DEVICE(s)

Description:

1. The Reserve Special Commendation Ribbon was established by the Secretary of the Navy on 16 April 1946. The ribbon was awarded to those officers of the Organized Reserve who had officially commanded at the battalion, squadron, or separate division level in a meritorious manner for a period of 4 years between 1 January 1930 and 7 Dec. 1941.
2. The period of command need not have been continuous, but the officer must have been regularly assigned to command such units for a total of four years within a ten year period of time.
3. This award, obsolete the day it was authorized, is relatively unheard of and often overlooked. However, the officers who received this award formed the backbone of the Navy and Marine Corps as America entered the Second World War. Mostly junior officers during World War I, these men continued to develop their military skills in the Reserves and became the first to lead the fight in our Navy's battles at the Coral Sea and Midway.

Background:

1. The Secretary of the Navy on 16 April 1946 established the Reserve Special Commendation Ribbon (no medal involved). The award will be made to those officers of the Organized Reserve who have officially commanded in a meritorious manner for a period of 4 years between 1 January 1930 and 7 December 1941, an organized battalion, squadron, or separate division (not part of a battalion) of the Naval Reserve, or an organized battalion or squadron of the Marine Corps Reserve, and have had a total service in the Reserve of not less than 10 years. The 4-year period need not be continuous, but officers must have been regularly assigned to command such units for a total of 4 years. As the designation "Fleet Reserve" was changed to "Organized Reserve" as of 1 July 1938, command under either designation will qualify.