The time frame for which an eligible Navy or Marine Corps veteran may be awarded the Combat Action Ribbon (CAR) has been extended. (The Army's Combat Infantryman's Badge, created in 1943, was awarded retroactively to Dec 7, 1941.)

H.R. 552, sponsored by Rep. Michael R. McNulty (D-N.Y.) included a CAR provision (Sec. 564) in the annual Defense Authorization Bill, the legislation that determines spending and policy priorities for the Pentagon for the next fiscal year.

The President signed that bill into law on Oct 5, 1999.

Public Law 106-65's relevant provision "authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to award the Combat Action Ribbon to a member of the Navy or Marine Corps for participation in ground or surface combat during any time period after Dec 6, 1941, and before Mar 1, 1962, if the Secretary determines that the member has not been previously recognized for such participation."

The CAR has been awarded to eligible Navy and Marine Corps personnel who were actively engaged in combat in the Vietnam War and since. The ribbon was created Feb 17, 1969, and awarded retroactively to March 1, 1961.

This prevented a large number of World War II and Korea veterans from receiving special recognition.

To deal with this inequity, H.R. 552, co-sponsored by 79 members of the House, was introduced.

It had strong support of a number of veterans organizations.

To obtain a CAR, fill out SF-180 - Request Pertaining to Military Records - and send it along with a copy of your discharge to : Bureau of Naval Personnel, Liaison Office, Room 5409, 9700 Page Avenue, St. Louis, MO. 63132-5100.