Distinguished Marksmanship Ribbon

Evolution of the Distinguished Marksmanship Ribbon

The Distinguished Marksmanship Ribbon was a military decoration of the United States Navy which was established in 1942. Originally known as the Distinguished Marksman and Pistol Shot Ribbon, the decoration recognized those who had been presented a Distinguished Marksman Badge through exceptional scoring at a professional military shooting competition. The Distinguished Marksman and Pistol Shot Ribbon was issued for receipt of either a Pistol or Rifle Distinguished Marksman Badge.

In 1952, the Secretary of the Navy ordered that the Distinguished Marksman and Pistol Shot Ribbon be divided into two new decorations, one for rifle distinguished marksmanship and the other for distinguished marksmanship with a pistol. The new awards were known respectively as the Distinguished Marksman Ribbon and the Distinguished Pistol Shot Ribbon.

The Distinguished Marksman Ribbon and the Distinguished Pistol Shot Ribbon were issued until 1959 when the Navy Department ordered the awards discontinued as of July 13 of that year.

In the modern age, all three of the Distinguished Marksmanship Ribbons have been declared obsolete. The Distinguished Marksman (for rifle) and Distinguished Pistol Shot Badges have always been authorized for wear by those who have earned them. The ribbons were worn if the badge was not worn.

Under current uniform regulations, the badges are worn when ribbons or large medals are prescribed.

All five armed services have distinguished shooting programs that parallel the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP). The Marksmanship Medal is considered the successor to these awards.