Established in 1980, the Missouri National Guard Adjutant General’s Twenty Ribbon honors Missouri National Guard members who distinguish themselves through excellent marksmanship. It is presented to individuals whose performances rank among the top 20 each year at the state’s rifle and pistol championships. Initially, awards were divided among eight riflemen, and pistolmen, two sniper shooters, and two machine gunners. Now, however, there are no category limits.
The Missouri National Guard is composed of the Missouri Army National Guard and the Missouri Air National Guard. The Army component is based in Jefferson City and traces its roots back to Civil War-era militia activity. The Air component, which originated in 1917 and is now based in St. Joseph, is made up of the 131st Bomb Wing and the 139th Air Wing and features the 157th Air Operations Group and the 231st Civil Engineer Squadron as support units.
The ribbon is bisected by a thin red vertical stripe bordered by white; proceeding outward on each side are thin stripes of yellow, white, blue, and white as well as a thicker blue stripe toward each edge.