Army Streamer Documentation

1. Background

a. Battle honors were first depicted by inscribing the names of battles on the organizational color or guidon. On 25 August 1861, Major General John C. Fremont, commanding the Western Department, commended troops from Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri for their extraordinary service in the battle of Wilson's Creek, near Springfield, Missouri which had occurred 10 days earlier. The Union soldiers had fought a Confederate force five times as large and the battle ended in a moral victory for the Union Army. Fremont ordered the word "Springfield" to be emblazoned on the colors of the units involved in the fighting.

b. General Order 19, War Department, 22 February 1862, prescribed that there should be inscribed upon the color or guidons of all regiments and batteries the names of the battles in which they had borne a meritorious part.

c. On 7 February 1890, the use of inscribed battle honors upon the national and regimental colors was discontinued and engraved silver rings, now called silver bands, were authorized. This practice continued until 1918 when the silver bands were in short supply and the War Department authorized the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces (Gen. John J. Pershing) to locally procure ribbon as a substitute and inscribe on the ribbon strips the name of special battles and major operations that color bearing units of the AEF had been engaged in during World War I. These ribbon strips became the forerunners of our present day campaign streamers.

d. Hand embroidered silk streamers were introduced on 3 June 1920. The original directive prescribed that there would be a silk streamer for each war in which the organization participated in the theatre of operations and to be the color of the campaign ribbon for the different wars. The name of the battle or campaign of a war was embroidered on the ribbon.

e. Unit award streamers were also first authorized in 1920 when the War Department authorized a blue silk streamer with the name of the action embroidered thereon. The streamer was adopted to reflect organizations "Mentioned In Orders" by the War Department for meritorious service in action.

Current Streamers/Decorations

Only campaign streamers are displayed on the Army flag and they are 2-3/4 inches wide and 4 feet long. Streamers (2-3/4 inches wide and 3 feet in length) are currently authorized for display by organizations authorized a distinguishing flag to indicate the following:

a. Campaign Streamers. The streamer reflects campaign participation credit and is the campaign or service ribbon design authorized for the soldiers for that specific conflict or operation during the period. Organizations display the streamers on the colors for campaigns or service for which they have received campaign participation credit as shown on the unit's lineage and honors. The inscription is as shown on the unit's lineage and honors/statement of service. Campaign streamers displayed by organizations do not have the date of the campaign embroidered on the streamer unless it is part of the name (e.g. Mexico 1916-1917). The 183 campaign streamers displayed on the Army flag include the date of the action (with the exception of the last four streamers):

Streamer for Organizational Flag
Streamer for Army Flag

b. War Service Streamers/Battle Streamers. War service streamers without inscriptions were awarded during or prior to World War II to units located in the theater but did not participate in designated campaigns nor specified battles/locations. Prior to 1945, units may also have been awarded streamers for participation in battles other than designated campaigns. The lineage and honors and the inscription on the streamer indicates location and year rather than the designated campaign (e.g. Civil War Service may reflect "GEORGIA 1863" or WWI reflects "LORRAINE 1918" rather than the name of a designated campaign).

War Service Streamer without inscription
Streamer with location inscription

c. Unit Award Streamers. Unit award streamers indicate the unit has been awarded a unit decoration. Both foreign and U.S. decorations are reflected through the use of unit award streamers. In addition to the regular size unit award streamers for display by organizations authorized a distinguishing flag, unit award streamers (1-3/8 inches wide and 2 feet long) are displayed by separate units authorized a guidon. The inscription, normally location and/or date(s), is as indicated in the unit's lineage and honor statements.

d. Fourrageres, Lanyards, and Decorations. Fourrageres and/or Lanyards which have been awarded by foreign governments and shown on the unit's lineage and honors may be displayed on the flagstaff for ceremonial occasions. In addition, foreign decorations may be displayed on the applicable unit award streamer for ceremonial occasions.

e. Combat and Expert Infantry Unit Streamers. A white ribbon with blue embroidered inscription "COMBAT INFANTRY (UNIT)" or "EXPERT INFANTRY (UNIT)" is awarded to brigade or smaller size units. The Combat Infantry streamer may be awarded by commanders of divisions, corps, or armies if 65 percent or more of the TOE strength of the unit has been awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge during military operations. Award for subsequent military operations are reflected by a blue embroidered star after the inscription. The expert infantry streamer may be awarded by commanders of battalions or brigades when 65 percent or more of the assigned strength of the brigade or smaller size unit is awarded the Expert Infantryman Badge during annual testing. The Expert Infantry Streamer may be displayed for one year. Devices to indicate subsequent awards are not authorized.

Combat Infantry Streamer (1st Award)
Combat Infantry Streamer (2d Award)
Expert Infantry Streamer

f. Combat and Expert Medical Unit Streamers. A maroon ribbon with a narrow white stripe on each side and white embroidered inscription "COMBAT MEDICAL (UNIT)" OR "EXPERT MEDICAL (UNIT)" is authorized to indicate service in combat or successful testing for the Expert Medical Badge. The Combat Medical Streamer may be awarded by commanders of armies, corps, divisions, or separate brigades when 65 percent or more of the TOE strength of a medical unit has been awarded the Combat Medical Badge during military operations in war. The Expert Medical Streamer may be awarded by commanders indicated in AR 600-8-22 when 65 percent or more of the assigned strength has been awarded the Expert Medical Badge as a result of Expert Field Medical Badge testing. The expert medical unit streamer may be displayed for one year after the unit qualifies.

Combat Medical Streamer
Expert Medical Streamer

g. Combat Action Unit Streamer. A black ribbon with a golden yellow embroidered inscription “COMBAT ACTION (UNIT)” is authorized to indicate service in combat. During the period of military operations against an armed enemy and for 1 year thereafter, commanders of battalions, groups, regiments and brigades are authorized to award the streamer. During this same period, commanding generals of divisions, corps, and armies are authorized to award Combat Action Streamers to separate platoons, detachments, battalions, groups, regiments and brigades under their command when all criteria are met. The streamer is awarded when 65 percent or more of the TOE assigned strength of a unit authorized a color, distinguishing flag, or guidon has been awarded the Combat Action Badge (CAB) during military operations in war or in any military action where the CAB is authorized.

Combat Action Streamer

h. Safety Excellence Streamer. A green ribbon with two white stripes and a white embroidered inscription "SAFETY EXCELLENCE" is authorized to indicate accident prevention measures and success. The streamer is authorized for Detachments/Company size units that have completed 12 consecutive months without experiencing a Soldier/unit at fault Class A or B accident and have 100% completion of Composite Risk Management (CRM) training within the last 24 months at time of submission. The U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center (USACRC) web based training fulfills this requirement; Battalions, or equivalent units that have completed 12 consecutive months without experiencing a Soldier/unit at fault Class A or B accident and have 100% completion of CRM training and completion of the Army Readiness Assessment Program (ARAP) within the last 24 months at time of submission. The USACRC web based training fulfills this requirement; Brigades or equivalent units that have completed 12 consecutive months without a Soldier/unit at fault Class A or B accident; Divisions and installations that have completed 12 consecutive months without experiencing a Soldier/unit at fault Class A or B accident. The streamer may be displayed by the organization for one year, at the expiration of which the unit must requalify. 0-6 or above level commanders of TOE or TDA organizations may award the streamer to units under their command meeting eligibility criteria. This authority may not be further delegated lower than the 0-6 level commander.

Safety Excellence Streamer

3. Army Flag Streamer Set

A streamer for each campaign in which Army organizations participated is displayed on the Army flag. There are currently 181 streamers displayed on the Army flag. Units, which received campaign credit participation for these campaigns, may display a three-foot streamer without dates on their organizational flag.

a. Revolutionary War. There were 16 campaigns in the revolutionary war. The revolutionary war streamer is scarlet with a white center stripe with golden yellow inscription. Scarlet is the color of the mother country and the white stripe symbolizes the virgin land of the new country separated from its former sovereign by force of arms. The following inscriptions are on the revolutionary war streamers:

Revolutionary War Streamer

b. War of 1812. There were 6 campaigns in the war of 1812. The streamer is scarlet with two white stripes with the following inscriptions in yellow. Scarlet is again used to symbolize the former mother country and the two white stripes symbolize our second successful defense of our homeland against the same enemy in the preceding conflict.

War of 1812 Streamer

c. Mexican War. There were 10 campaigns in the Mexican War. The streamers are green with a white center stripe. The color green is one of the colors associated with ancient Mexico and the colors green and white appear in the present Mexican tricolor flag. The white center stripe also represents the United States flag. The following inscriptions in yellow are on the Mexican War streamers:

Mexican War Streamer

d. Civil War. There were 25 campaigns in the Civil War. The streamers are equally divided with blue and gray. Units that received campaign credit as a confederate unit use the same ribbon with the colors reversed. Blue refers to Federal Service and gray is indicative of the Confederacy, joined together they represent the unification of the country after the Civil War. The following inscriptions in yellow are authorized on the streamers:

Civil War Streamer Union Service
Civil War Streamer Confederate Service

e. Indian Campaign. There were 14 Indian Campaigns that covered the period 1790 to 1891. The streamer is red with two black stripes. Red is a sacred color with all Indians and is usually considered symbolic of strength and success. The color red, symbolic of war, is also a symbol of day and the Sun god. The color black, symbolic of death and mourning, is also a symbol of night and the Underworld god. The following inscriptions in yellow are authorized:

Indian Wars Streamer

f. Spanish American War. There were three campaigns during the Spanish American war in 1898. The Spanish Campaign ribbon is yellow with two blue stripes. The color yellow was suggested by the field of the Spanish flag. The two blue stripes of the streamer refer to the Atlantic Ocean (Caribbean Sea) and the Pacific Ocean (Philippine Sea). The three yellow portions of the ribbon allude to Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippine Islands, the areas of the conflict. The following inscriptions in scarlet are authorized on the streamers.

Spanish American War Streamers

g. China Relief Expedition. There were three campaigns during the Boxer Revolt in China during 1900. The China Relief Expedition streamer is yellow with a narrow blue stripe on each side. The color yellow was restricted for use only by the Manchu rulers of China during the Ts'ing dynasty (1644-1911). The color blue is emblematic of the east and of the blue dragon depicted on the yellow imperial and other Manchu standards. The following inscriptions in ultramarine blue are authorized:

China Relief Expedition Streamer

h. Philippine Campaign. There were 11 campaigns during the Philippine Insurrection between 1899 and 1913. The Philippine Campaign ribbon is blue with two red stripes. The colors blue and red were suggested by the field of the Philippine flag. The two red stripes of the ribbon refer to the Filipino insurrectionists and the United States Army. The blue indicates service overseas and also as our national color alludes to the United States support of Filipino independence. The following inscriptions in yellow are authorized:

Philippine Campaign Streamer

i. Mexican Service. There was 1 campaign for Mexican Border Service during the period 1916 - 1917. The streamer is yellow with a blue center stripe and a narrow green stripe on each edge. The colors green and yellow are associated with the Aztecs of ancient Mexico. The Aztec standard carried at the battle of Otumba in 1520 consisted of a gold sun surrounded by the green plumes of the quetzal. The blue, our national color, alludes to the United States Army and also refers to the Rio Grande River which separates in part Mexico from the United States. The following inscription in white is authorized:

Mexican Service Streamer

j. World War I. There were 13 campaigns for World War I during the period 1917-1918. The streamer is the World War I Victory Medal ribbon which had a red center with a rainbow on each side of the center stripe and a purple edge. The double rainbow symbolizes the dawn of a new era and the calm which follows the storm. The following inscriptions in white are authorized:

World War I Streamer

k. American Campaign. The Army only displays one campaign streamer to reflect the American Campaign because Army units did not participate in combat within the American Campaign. The streamer is light blue with a narrow blue, white and red stripe in the center and a narrow white, red, black and white stripe on each side. The blue represents the Americas and the white and black refers to the German part of the conflict while the red and white refers to the Japanese part of the conflict on the Pacific coast. The following inscription is in yellow.

WWII American Campaign Streamer

l. Asiatic Pacific Theater. There were 21 campaigns in the Asiatic Pacific Theater. The Asiatic Pacific Campaign streamer is yellow with a narrow blue, white and red center stripe and a narrow white, red and white stripe on each side. The yellow color represents Asia; the blue, white, and red stripes taken from the American Defense Medal refer to the continuance of American Defense after Pearl Harbor. The red and white stripes are the Japanese colors. The following inscriptions in blue are authorized:

WWII Asiatic Pacific Campaign Streamers

m. European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign (EAME). There were 16 campaigns in the EAME Theater. The EAME streamer is green with a brown stripe on each edge. The center has a narrow blue, white and red stripe. On the upper portion is a narrow white and red stripe with a narrow white, black and white stripe on the lower portion. The brown color is representative of the sands of Africa and the green color for the green fields of Europe. The central blue, white and red stripes taken from the American Defense Medal ribbon refers to the continuance of American Defense after Pearl Harbor. Green, white, and red are the Italian colors, and the white and black colors refer to Germany. The following inscriptions in yellow are authorized:

WWII European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign

n. Korean Service. There were 10 campaigns for Korean service during the period 1950 - 1953. The Korean Service streamer is light blue with a white center stripe and a narrow white stripe on each edge. The medium blue and white are the colors of the United Nations referring to the UN mission. The following inscriptions in yellow are authorized:

Korean War Streamer

o. Vietnam Service. There were 17 campaigns for Vietnam service during the period 1962 - 1973. The Vietnam Service streamer is yellow with three red stripes through the center. It has a green stripe on each side. The yellow with red stripes was suggested by the flag of the Republic of Vietnam. The green alludes to the jungle. The following inscriptions in white are authorized:

Vietnam Service Streamer

p. Armed Forces Expeditionary. There are three expeditionary missions which use the Armed Forces Expeditionary ribbon to reflect campaign credit. The Armed Forces Expeditionary streamer is light blue with a narrow blue, white and red stripe in the center. On each edge is a narrow green, yellow, red and black stripe. The colors red, white and blue refer to the United States while the light blue suggests water and overseas service. The stripes of brown, black, green and yellow are indicative of the various areas of the world where the Armed Forces of the United States might be called upon to serve. The following inscriptions in white are authorized:

Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamer

q. Southwest Asia Service. There will be three campaigns for the Southwest Asia War. The streamer is tan with a black border and center stripe. On each side of the black center is a green stripe. A grouping of red, white and blue stripes are centered on each side. The sand colored ribbon with red, white, blue, green and black stripes represent the desert and the colors of the United States and the coalition members. The following inscriptions in white are authorized:

Southwest Asia Service Streamer

r. Kosovo Campaign. The streamer has five stripes (blue, red, white, blue and red.) The inscription is yellow. The following inscriptions are authorized:

Kosovo Air Campaign

s. Afghanistan Campaign. The streamer has thirteen stripes (emerald, scarlet, black, white, scarlet, white, old glory blue, white, scarlet, white, black, scarlet and emerald). The ribbon reflects the colors of the new Afghanistan flag and the red, white and blue represent the United States and its allies. The following inscriptions in yellow are authorized:

Afghanistan Campaign Streamer

t. Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Campaign. The streamer has fifteen stripes (bluebird, old glory blue, white, old glory blue, bluebird, golden yellow, bluebird, scarlet, bluebird,golden yellow, bluebird, old glory blue, white, old glory blue and bluebird). The inscription is yellow.

Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Campaign Streamer

u. Iraq Campaign. The streamer has eleven stripes (scarlet, white, green, white, black, chamois, black, white, green, white and scarlet). The ribbon reflects the colors of the Iraq flag. Green is the traditional color for Islam. Red honors the fighting courage for the pursuit of freedom. White denotes generosity and black exemplifies Islam’s success. The following inscriptions in red are authorized:

Iraq Campaign Streamer

4. Unit Award Streamers

Unit award streamers are used by organizations to indicate the unit has been awarded a unit decoration. Both foreign and U.S. unit decorations are reflected through the use of unit award streamers. In addition to the regular size unit award streamers for display by units on the organizational flag, unit award streamers (1-3/8 inches wide and 2 feet long) are displayed by separate companies authorized a guidon. The inscription and device, if required, will be as indicated on the unit's lineage and honors.

a. Army Presidential Unit Citation. A blue streamer with the name of the action embroidered in white. The streamer represents a degree of heroism required that would warrant award of the Distinguished Service Cross to an individual.

Army Presidential Unit Citation Streamer

b. Navy Presidential Unit Citation for Army organizations. A streamer consisting of a blue, gold and red stripe with the name of the action embroidered in white.

Navy Presidential Unit Citation Streamer

c. Valorous Unit Commendation Streamer. The streamer is the same pattern as the Silver Star Medal ribbon consisting of a blue ribbon with a red center stripe with a white stripe on each side of the center and a narrow white stripe on the blue. The name of the action is embroidered in yellow.

Valorous Unit Commendation Streamer

d. Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation Streamer. The streamer consists of nine stripes as follows: blue, yellow, blue, white, crimson (center), white, blue, yellow, blue. The inscription is embroidered in yellow.

Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation Streamer

e. Army Meritorious Unit Commendation Streamer. The streamer is red and has the inscription embroidered in white letters. The degree of achievement required is the same as that which would warrant a Legion of Merit to an individual.

Army Meritorious Unit Commendation Streamer

f. Navy Unit Commendation Streamer for use by Army organizations. The streamer consists of the following stripes: blue, yellow, red, green (center), red, yellow, blue. The inscription is embroidered in white.

Navy Unit Commendation Streamer

g. Air Force Outstanding Unit Streamer.The streamer consists of the following stripes: red, white, blue, white, red (center), white, blue, white and red. The inscription is embroidered in white.

Air Force Outstanding Unit Streamer

h. Army Superior Unit Streamer. The streamer is red with a green center stripe with a narrow yellow stripe on each side of the green. The inscription will be embroidered in white.

Army Superior Unit Streamer

i. French Croix de Guerre, WWI. The streamer has a total of 16 alternating red and green stripes beginning with red and ending with red. The inscription is embroidered in yellow and the star or palm is embroidered in the color specified.

French Croix de Guerre, WWI

j. French Croix de Guerre, WWII. The streamer is red with 4 narrow green stripes grouped to the center of the streamer. The inscription embroidered is yellow and the star or palm embroidered in the specified color.

French Croix de Guerre, WWII

k. French Medaille Militaire. The streamer is yellow with a narrow green stripe on each edge. The inscription is scarlet.

French Medaille Militaire

l. Belgian Croix de Guerre. The streamer is red with three narrow green stripes on each side. The inscription is embroidered in white and the palm is green.

Belgian Croix de Guerre

m. Luxembourg Croix de Guerre. The streamer is blue with yellow edges and three yellow center stripes. The inscription is white.

Luxembourg Croix de Guerre

n. Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. The streamer has three stripes (blue, white, and red) with the inscription embroidered in yellow.

Philippine Presidential Unit Citation

o. Croce Al Merito di Guerra (Italy). The streamer is blue with 2 white stripes with the inscription embroidered in yellow.

Croce Al Merito di Guerra (Italy)

p. Military Order of William (Netherlands). The streamer is yellow with 2 blue stripes with the inscription embroidered in dark blue.

Military Order of William (Netherlands)

q. Ordem da Torree and Espada (Portugal) "Order of the Tower and Sword". The Streamer is light blue with the inscription in yellow.

Order of the Tower and Sword (Portugal)

r. Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. The streamer has a green stripe on each edge and wide white stripe in the center. On each side of the white stripe are narrow stripes of green, white, red, white, red, and white. The inscription is embroidered in dark blue. A taeguk in color is embroidered 5 inches from the hoist.

Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation

s. Chryssoun Aristion Andrias (Bravery Gold Medal of Greece). The streamer has five alternating stripes (3 blue and two white) with the inscription in yellow.

Chryssoun Aristion Andrias Streamer

t. Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross. The streamer has a yellow center stripe with a red stripe on each edge. Eight pairs of thin red lines are on the yellow stripe. The inscription is white. A bronze palm is centered between the hoist end of the streamer and the first letter of the inscription.

Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross

u. Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions. The streamer is green with a red stripe near each edge and two red center stripes. The inscription is white and a bronze palm is centered between the hoist end and the first letter of the inscription.

Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions

5. Devices

The following devices are embroidered on the streamers of organizations when specified in the lineage and honors. Devices are not placed on streamers displayed on the Army flag.

a. Earned Honor Device. The earned honor device is embroidered in yellow two inches from the end of the streamer to indicate the battalion of a regiment that has the device actually participated in the campaign. Prior to the Korean War, if one battalion of the regiment received campaign credit, all battalions received campaign credit paricipation; however, only those battalions that earned the credit would receive the earned honor device. Since the Korean War, only those battalions of the regiment that receive campaign participation credit are authorized to display the streamer. The campaigns on the battalion's lineage and honors are indicated by an asterisk if the earned honor device is authorized.

Earned Honor Device

b. Arrowhead Device. A bronze embroidered arrowhead is placed 3/4 inch before the inscription on the streamer to indicate the unit made a parachute jump into enemy territory; participated in an amphibious landing on enemy territory; or made a helicopter assault landing in enemy held territory as part of an organized force carrying out an assigned tactical mission. The unit's lineage and honors will indicate "with arrowhead" if applicable.

Bronze Arrowhead

c. Palm.The palm is used on some foreign unit awards (e.g. French Croix de Guerre, Belgian Croix de Guerre, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry) to indicate the level of the military command which cited the unit for the award. The palm indicates the award was made by the Armed Forces headquarters of the foreign government. The embroidered bronze palm outlined in green and with green berries is centered between the hoist end of the streamer and the first letter of the inscription.

Palm

d. Stars. Stars, 1-1/2 inches in diameter, are used to indicate the level of the foreign military which cited an organization for an award. A gold star represents citation by a corps, a silver star by a division, and a bronze star by a brigade/regiment. The embroidered gold, silver and bronze stars are centered between the hoist end and the first letter of the inscription on foreign awards. A blue embroidered star is placed 1-1/2 inches after the last letter of the inscription on the combat infantry streamer to indicate subsequent awards.

Gold Star, Silver Star, Bronze Star and Blue Star

e. Taeguk. The Taeguk, 2 inches in diameter, is embroidered on the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit streamer, five inches from the hoist end of the streamer.

Taeguk

6. Display of Streamers on the Army Flag

Streamers are affixed to the attaching device in a counterclockwise manner. LEXINGTON 1775 is the first streamer and IRAQI SURGE 2007-2008 will be the last streamer. When the Army flag is not being carried, the streamers will be arranged in such a manner that LEXINGTON 1775 is displayed in the preeminent position, i.e., in the center facing forward and completely identifiable. The streamer awarded for the most recent campaign will also be visible.

7. Silver Bands

On 7 December 2004, the G-1 approved a policy change as follows: Guidon bearing elements displaying silver bands for campaign participation and war service credit, will now display a streamer one and three eighths inch hoist by a two foot fly in lieu of the silver bands. Silver bands will no longer be used. These guidon bearing units are also now allowed to display all regimental honors instead of displaying only earned honors. This will be accomplished by using the laurel wreath as the earned honor device on the guidon campaign streamers.

8. Procurement