NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
WASHINGTON NAVY YARD -- 805 KIDDER BREESE SE
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

 

"Why do the stars on the uniform have two points up?"

This question has been asked innumerable times, with no answer found. The Uniform Board cannot clarify the matter. They have received many queries on the subject and have, over the years, researched it thoroughly. The star on the sleeve has had two points up for well over 150 years. It is probable that the original decision was made from the personal preference of an individual in authority or by some uniform board of many years ago. It is interesting to note than an All-Navy notice of 1945 specifies that engagement stars were worn two points up. In 1964, another order changed this to one point up to conform with the Silver Star Medal, the Bronze Star Medal and the U.S. ensign. The Uniform Board did not consider changing the line officer's star. As far as is known, there is no heraldic meaning to the number of star points up or down.

Oak leaves in insignia

Oak leaves have been used as insignia by various corps and ranks of the U.S. Navy since the earliest days. This decorative device was probably adopted originally as a symbol of the excellent oaken ships of the United States. In the days of wooden ships, the government preserved its live oak for shipbuilding by placing oak timbers under water for decades.

NAVY MEDALS AND AWARDS

 

The ribbons below are in the correct order of precedence for those most likely to be worn on a Navy uniform today. Devices worn on these ribbons indicate additional awards or participation in a specific event. Some ribbons do not have accompanying medals. These are listed as "ribbon". For additional information about the proper order of display, placement of devices, or about ribbons not shown, consult Secretary of the Navy Instruction 1650.1F and U.S. Navy Uniform Regulations (NAVPERS 1566.5G).

Medal of Honor	Navy Cross	Defense Distinguished Service Medal	Distinguished Service Medal	Silver Star
Defense Superior Service Medal	Legion of Merit	Distinguished Flying Cross	Navy and Marine Corps Medal	Bronze Star
Purple Heart	Defense Meritorious Service Medal	Meritorious Service Medal	Air Medal	Joint Service Commendation Medal
Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal	Joint Service Achievement Medal	Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal	Combat Action Ribbon	Presidential Unit Citation
Joint Meritorious Unit Award	Navy Unit Commendation	Meritorious Unit Commendation	Navy "E" Ribbon	POW Medal
Good Conduct Medal	Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal	Fleet Marine Force Ribbon	Navy Expeditionary Medal	China Service Medal
Navy Occupation Service Medal	National Defense Service Medal	Korean Service Medal	Antarctic Service Medal	Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Vietnam Service Medal	Southwest Asia Service Medal	Humanitarian Service Medal	Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal	Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
Navy Arctic Service Ribbon	Naval Reserve Sea Service Ribbon	Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon	Navy Recruiting Service Ribbon	Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Naval Reserve Medal	Philippine Presidential Unit Citation	Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation	Republic of Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation	Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation	United Nations Service Medal	United Nations Medal	Multinational Force and Observers Medal	Inter-American Defense Board Medal
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal	Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)	Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)	Expert Rifleman Medal	Expert Pistol Shot Medal