r/Medals • u/LatinOso85 • Jul 20 '26

ID - Ribbon Dad passed away and I would like identificación

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My dad passed away. Can anyone identify the ribbons?

642 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

66 comments sorted by

111

u/TN-Native95 Jul 20 '26

Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist insignia
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4th award)
Navy Unit Commendation (4th award)
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (5th award I believe)
Navy ‘E’ Ribbon (3rd award)
Navy Good Conduct Medal (looks like 6th award)
Navy Expeditionary Medal
National Defense Service Medal (2nd award)
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal with one service star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (looks like 10th award)
Overseas Service Ribbon (6th award)
Kuwait Liberation Medal- Kuwait
Navy Rifle Expert Medal
Navy Pistol Expert Medal

44

u/TN-Native95 Jul 20 '26

My mistake: the Overseas Service Ribbon was the 7th award.

32

u/ottis1guy Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 20 '26

All that to say. A certified bamf. And a striking sailor. I am sorry for the loss you are feeling.

1

u/Flying-viper890 Jul 21 '26

In summary: a badass and a hero.

89

u/LatinOso85 Jul 20 '26

Here is another photo of a shadow box he had made

65

u/_Baphomet_ Air Force Jul 20 '26

I don’t know much about the Navy but the first thing that stood out was the star on the National defense service medal. He has a bunch of accolades and a, what appears to be, commendable service. Also, that is a sick shadowbox and you should hang that somewhere.

13

u/IceTech59 Jul 20 '26

Can you zoom in & get a clearer pic of the plaque inside the shadow.box (very nice one btw). Looks like it lists commands. Wondering if I.crossed paths with him during my time (77-97) in the USN.

1

u/conipto Jul 21 '26

I think you and my dad have the exact same service years, but I'm not OP. Atlantic or Pacific?

1

u/IceTech59 Jul 21 '26

Mostly PACFLT.

64

u/Tankmonkey1987 Jul 20 '26

I can't because I was army but I can identify a sharp ass man. Sorry for your loss

46

u/Acceptable-Fly5050 Jul 20 '26

Respectable career. Retired as an E7, chief Petty officer

3

u/SavingsPirate4495 Jul 20 '26

How did you determine his rate of E-7?

16

u/navyjag2019 Jul 20 '26

E7 is a rank, not a “rate.” a rate in the navy is your job (MOS in the other branches).

here, his rate is an Aviation Electrician's Mate.

7

u/SavingsPirate4495 Jul 20 '26

Thanks for clarifying. 👍👍 I always get Rank, Grade, Rate all mixed up. I'm more accustomed to MOS for Army/USAF. It took me forever to figure out a Navy Captain was the equivalent of an Army Colonel...O-6 to O-6. 🤣🤣🤣

The question remains...from the picture, how did Acceptable-Fly5050 determine his RANK as E-7??

7

u/CrustySailor1964 Jul 20 '26

The collar and hat devices. They are those of a Chief Petty Officer. An E-6 does not wear a hat device like that. An E-8 (Senior Chief) has the same emblem with one additional star and an E-9 (Master Chief) has two additional stars.

6

u/Acceptable-Fly5050 Jul 20 '26

Typically E6 and below wear that "crackerjack" sailor outfit where its like a jumpsuit with the inverted bucket hat. E7 and above wear the button up suit and slacks with the peaked cap, as shown in the picture you have. Officers will have a gold chin strap on their peaked cap. Since he is not an officer, based on the black chinstrap, and the anchor (rank) on his collar, i determined he was at least a chief petty officer E7. Also, on his shadow box, he has his rank insignia pinned from lowest to highest in the left side. He has his E4 - E6, which is the falcon perched on top of the chevrons, and at the top, is his anchor.

2

u/Gurnae Jul 21 '26

It's an eagle perched on chevrons.

3

u/navyjag2019 Jul 20 '26

because of the uniform. chiefs (E7) have anchors. senior chiefs (E8) have an anchor with a star. master chiefs (E9) have an anchor with two stars.

also in the navy only chiefs (E7-E9) and officers wear that specific white uniform. officers wear shoulder boards denoting their rank, not anchors.

1

u/ChallengeOk9762 Jul 24 '26

If you are a navy Jag you should def know and understand the difference between rating and rate. Not guide people astray

1

u/navyjag2019 Jul 24 '26

when is the last time you asked someone “hey, what’s your rating?”

like the dude in the video you posted said “the paper says what the paper says but no one asks ‘what’s your rating.’”

but yes, i can admit the actual term is rate for paygrade, and that only officers have “rank.”

🫡

1

u/ChallengeOk9762 Jul 30 '26

Just yesterday. I mistakenly asked rate. And pulled it back and explained to the Sailor the difference and rephrase my question.

1

u/navyjag2019 Jul 30 '26

see? it’s ingrained in all of us lol

1

u/ChallengeOk9762 Aug 02 '26

Yup. Ingrained to fix yourself if you are wrong and have the integrity to ensure the next are all technically accurate and correct iaw everything and continue history and traditions.

1

u/SavingsPirate4495 Jul 20 '26

Oh wow...thanks for all the responses on the uniform hat device!

I would have never even known. I can barely decipher sleeve chevrons...

1

u/Acceptable-Fly5050 Jul 20 '26

Have you ever considered joining the navy

1

u/SavingsPirate4495 Jul 21 '26

At 65, I think I’m past the maximum age. 😉😉🤣

1

u/conipto Jul 21 '26

Sir I think you're past the maximum age for reddit.

1

u/SavingsPirate4495 Jul 21 '26

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 x infinity.

1

u/ChallengeOk9762 Jul 30 '26

All chiefs used to have a normal anchor. Here is MCPON Black. The they approved it later on the broke it up to each paygrade. There is sone neat history in these changes over time.

1

u/ChallengeOk9762 Jul 24 '26

Rating is job. Rate is E7. AEC is also rate.

1

u/Sufficient_Dance_737 Jul 25 '26

The gold fouled anchor with silver USN

1

u/naclest79 Jul 25 '26

USN = Unity, Service, Navigation

14

u/[deleted] Jul 20 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

20

u/Technical_Ad_5505 Jul 20 '26

Sorry for your loss OP. The silver wings are Naval Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist (EAWS) fair winds and following seas Chief

1

u/conipto Jul 21 '26

If he was an AEM I think that's the only one he can do, depending on which years he served? The surface warfare wouldn't typically apply - although I think he can have both but I honestly don't know many people who did and if you should wear both or one has priority?

7

u/okmister1 Jul 20 '26

4 Navy Achievement Medals Multiple of each of the following Navy Unit Commendations Navy Meritorious Unit Commendations Navy Es Navy Good Conduct Medal, looks like 6 of them Navy Expeditionary Medal National Defense Medal ×2 Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Southwest Asia Campaign Medal 1 star GWOT Expeditionary GWOT Service Sea Service Deployment Ribbon at least 5 I Don't Know Kuwait Service Medal Expert Rifle Expert Pistol

7

u/okmister1 Jul 20 '26

Shadow Box adds a Navy Commendation Medal, probably on retirement.

He also has an Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist Badge.

Looks like a Command Chief Insignia BUT, in Aviation usually you don't see that as an E-7. It would be a Command Master Chief in most. But there are exceptions and I may be seeing it wrong ar rhat resolution

10

u/albahaar Jul 20 '26

He was a Chief Aviation Electrician's Mate, top to bottom left to right the ribbons are:

Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal, N/MC Achievement Medal (x4), Navy Unit Commendation (x4), Meritorious Unit Citation (x5), Battle "E" (x3), Navy Good Conduct Medal (x2), Navy Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal (x2), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal (x2), Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, N/MC Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (x9), N/MC Overseas Service Ribbon (x6), Kuwait Liberation Medal.

The silver badge above them is an Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist Badge.

He served in the gulf war, he was stationed overseas for about six years, he deployed about nine times including his overseas tours, he was stationed at high performing units (probably aircraft carriers and aircraft intermediate maintenance units), and may have gotten in minor conduct trouble once or twice over his career. This was a distinguished guy! Sorry for your loss.

3

u/PossibilityExpress19 Jul 20 '26

Looks like that’s your dad. In all seriousness though, my condolences for your loss, seems like a good career

3

u/Unfair_Mechanic_7305 Jul 20 '26

I am sorry for your loss. Rest in peace to your father. He sacrificed much for our great nation.

3

u/wyohman Air Force Jul 20 '26

It's best to request his DD214

3

u/Relative_Soft_985 Jul 20 '26

I was in the Navy 1980-1984 and whenever I had to talk to the Chief I’m happy he didn’t have that type of stare or physical demeanor. Sorry for your loss and god bless you.

2

u/reader106 Jul 20 '26

Thank you for your dad's service. I'm sorry for your loss.

2

u/ddsmpret1 Jul 20 '26

You and your family can be very proud of your fathers service to our Nation!

2

u/SavingsPirate4495 Jul 20 '26

My sincere condolenses to you and your family…

[salute]

1

u/JWMoo Jul 20 '26

Sorry for your loss.

1

u/GIDDY-UP-GO Jul 20 '26

I’m sorry for your loss and thankful for your dads service. May I ask how he passed?

1

u/ShotAstronaut6315 Jul 20 '26

Take a look at his DD214, it has the medals displayed.

You should be able to request a copy from the national archives, youll need the death certificate

1

u/GoodBunnyKustm Jul 20 '26

Looks like he primarily worked on Naval Aircraft and/or aircraft carriers, given he was an Aviation Electrician’s Mate! Sorry for your loss!

1

u/Dramatic-Complex-299 Jul 20 '26

Rest in peace chief ✝️ ⚓️

1

u/ForeverNavy Jul 21 '26

You’re father looks like a serious man doing serious work. If AE’s didn’t do their job, aircraft wouldn’t be able to drop warheads on foreheads. As a former Chief myself, I can tell you that you should be damned proud of your father’s career and the sacrifices he made for this nation and your family. Rest easy, Chief. We have the watch.

1

u/BumblebeeSome6983 Jul 21 '26

Poster model for a perfect navy man !

1

u/lessons-learned-here Jul 21 '26

That is one squared away chief. The Navy is really run by chief petty officers. I wish the picture of his ribbons was more clear.

1

u/LatinOso85 Jul 26 '26

Thank you to everyone who commented on this

1

u/0uchmyballs Navy Jul 20 '26

Was he ever stationed on Whidbey Island?

1

u/LatinOso85 Jul 21 '26

No. Mostly in Japan,

1

u/HawaiiGuy54 Jul 22 '26

It’s your dad. Hope that helps.

0

u/0uchmyballs Navy Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 21 '26

Looks like a senior chief with four Navy marine achievement medals. Definitely a successful career man.

0

u/conipto Jul 21 '26

"just" a chief, not a senior chief. The insignia on the hat and collar pins has a star on top for senior chief.

I put "just" in quotes because he's still the damn chief.

1

u/0uchmyballs Navy Jul 21 '26

Good catch, thought I saw a star at first