NOAA Corps Commendation Medal

The NOAA Corps Commendation Medal is an honorary recognition awarded to members of the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps or to members of the Uniformed Services detailed, assigned, or attached to NOAA.

NOAA Corps Commendation Medal
Obverse of the NOAA Corps Commendation Medal
Type	Honorary award
Awarded for	Significant contributions to NOAA programs.
Country	United States
Presented by	the NOAA Corps
Eligibility	NOAA Corps personnel or a members the uniformed service detailed, assigned, or attached to NOAA.
Service ribbon of the medal
NOAA Corps Order of Wear
Next (higher)	NOAA Administrator's Award[1]
Next (lower)	NOAA Corps Achievement Medal[1]

Award criteria

The NOAA Corps Commendation Medal is awarded for:^[2]

• Recognition of acts of heroism worthy of special recognition, but not to the degree required for the Department of Commerce Gold or Silver Medals.
• Outstanding service or achievement worthy of special recognition, but not to the degree required for the Department of Commerce Bronze Medal or NOAA Corps Meritorious Service Medal.
• Leadership meriting special recognition.

Appearance

The medal is hexagonal in shape, 1+3⁄4 in (44 mm) high and 1+3⁄8 in (35 mm) wide made of nickel or silver plated red brass.^[3] The medal is suspended from a 1+3⁄8 in (35 mm) wide myrtle green ribbon with two 5⁄32 in (4.0 mm) white stripes.^[4] Subsequent awards are denoted by a gold 5/16 inch star worn on the medal suspension ribbon and service ribbon.^[2]