California National Guard Order of California Medal Ribbon

California National Guard Order of California Medal Ribbon
California National Guard Order of California Medal Ribbon

History

The California National Guard Order of California Medal Ribbon honors California National Guard members who demonstrate exceptional behavior or accomplishment while carrying out service to California or the nation while holding a position of major responsibility, typically in the act of a particularly difficult undertaking.

At nearly 23,000 members, the California National Guard is the largest in the country; it is made up of the California Army National Guard and California Air National Guard. The Army component dates back to the 1849 founding of a state militia, then called the First California Guard; the Air component, based in Sacramento, traces its roots back to August of 1917 when the 115th Aero Squadron was formed to support the United States’ efforts in World War I.

The medal is gold and features the image of the Seal of California encircled by a redwood wreath and the words “THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.” The reverse reads “ORDER OF CALIFORNIA DISTINGUISHED SERVICE.” The ribbon is light blue with yellow edging.

Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Silver Oak Leaf Cluster