{{Short description|Attachment to a military decoration}} A '''gold frame''' is an attachment to a military decoration which is issued by the militaries of some countries. The gold frame is designed to enclose an award ribbon and is usually a means of distinguishing the ribbon's special quality or denoting some additional achievement to the award's basic criteria.

The gold frame is normally an automatic attachment to a ribbon decoration. In certain cases, however, awards may be issued both with and without the gold frame depending upon the level of achievement. Such is the case in the United States Air Force which denotes the gold frame as a "gold border."

The gold frame and gold border is a device for ribbon awards only, and there are no provisions for issuing the attachment for medals.

==Australia== The Australian Ministry of Defence created both unit awards in 1991 via Letters Patent. Unlike the U.S. awards, the Australian frames are flames, not laurel leaves.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meritorious Unit Citation |url=https://www.pmc.gov.au/honours-and-symbols/list-australian-honours/meritorious-unit-citation |access-date=2025-12-18 |website=www.pmc.gov.au}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Unit Citation for Gallantry |url=https://www.pmc.gov.au/honours-and-symbols/list-australian-honours/unit-citation-gallantry |access-date=2025-12-18 |website=www.pmc.gov.au}}</ref> {| |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=AUS Unit Citation for Gallantry.png|width=80}} Unit Citation for Gallantry |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=AUS Meritorious Unit Citation.png|width=80}} Meritorious Unit Citation |- |}

== Luxembourg == The Croix de Guerre unit award was given by Luxembourg to several units during World War II and the U.S. Army allowed soldiers attached to those units to wear the decoration as a temporary unit award. It is not worn with the frame by Luxembourg's military. The decoration was permitted by Department of the Army General Order No. 43.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 19, 1950 |title=Department of the Army General Orders No. 43 |url=https://d34w7g4gy10iej.cloudfront.net/pubs/pdf_71834.pdf |website=DVIDS}}</ref> {| |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Luxembourg Croix de guerre unit.jpg|width=80}} Croix de Guerre unit award (Luxembourg) |}

== Philippines == The award was first created in 1946 to honor U.S. military units and naval vessels that served in the defense and liberation of the Philippines. It has been awarded several times since including as recently as 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Philippine Revolution Web Cantral - CPP primers |url=https://philippinerevolution.nu/1998-2005/pib/primers/20020303.htm |access-date=2025-12-18 |website=philippinerevolution.nu}}</ref> {| |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Philippines Presidential Unit Citation.png|width=80}} Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation |}

==Republic of Vietnam== These awards were created by the Republic of Vietnam and were awarded to U.S. military members throughout the Vietnam War.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 25, 2015 |title=Army Regulation 600–8–22 Military Awards |url=https://ec.militarytimes.com/static/pdfs/r600_8_22.pdf |website=Military Times}}</ref> {| |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Presidential_Unit_Citation_Vietnam_(Army_sized).png|width=80}} Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation |''Huy chương Tổng thống'' |''State of Vietnam Friendship Ribbon'' |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Gallantry_Cross_Unit_Citation.png|width=80}} Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation (Vietnam) |''Anh-Dũng Bội-Tinh'' | |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Civil_Action_Unit_Citation.png|width=80}} Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation (Vietnam) |''Dân-Vụ Bội-Tinh'' | |}

== South Korea == This award has been given to U.S. military units since 1950. The award was also given to a number of United Nations member state's military units during the Korean War.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-05-04 |title=Ελληνικό Εκστρατευτικό Σώμα στην Κορέα-ΕΚΣΕ (1950 -1955) |url=https://stratistoria.wordpress.com/1901-1950/19500625-korea/1950_korea-ekse/ |access-date=2025-12-18 |website=Θεματα Στρατιωτικης Ιστοριας |language=el-GR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Netherlands |url=http://www.korean-war.com/netherlands.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103225156/http://www.korean-war.com/netherlands.html |archive-date=2010-01-03 |access-date=2025-12-18 |website=www.korean-war.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2 Squadron |url=http://www.af.mil.za/bases/afb_makhado/2sqn.htm#Historic%20Overview |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729070913/http://www.af.mil.za/bases/afb_makhado/2sqn.htm#Historic%20Overview |archive-date=2018-07-29 |access-date=2025-12-18 |website=www.af.mil.za}}</ref> {| |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Korean Presidential Unit Citation.png|width=80}} Presidential Unit Citation (Korea) |대통령부대표창 |} ==United States== {{Infobox award | name = Gold Frame / Border | image = 150px <br/> 150px <br/> | sponsor = {{Army|United States}} {{flagicon image|Flag of the United States Department of Homeland Security.svg}} Department of Homeland Security<br/> {{flagicon image|Flag_of_the_United_States_Secretary_of_Defense.svg}} Department of Defense<br/> {{flagicon image|Flag of the United States Public Health Service.svg}} United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps<br/> {{flagicon image|Flag of the United States Department of Transportation.svg}} Department of Transportation<br/> | image_caption = US Army Gold Frame (above) <br/> US Air Force / DHS / USPHS / Transportation (below) | status = Currently Awarded | established = 1941 | type = Ribbon Device }}

===Air Force=== The U.S. Air Force called the attachment a Gold Border and uses the wider version of the attachment.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wayback Machine |url=https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/dafman36-2806/dafman36_2806.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251007170622/https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/dafman36-2806/dafman36_2806.pdf |archive-date=2025-10-07 |access-date=2025-12-18 |website=static.e-publishing.af.mil |url-status=live }}</ref> The emblems are a consistent 1 7/16 inches wide and 7/16 inches tall with a gold frame that is 1/16 inch of laurel leaves.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ribbon Attachments: Frame - small |url=https://www.vanguardmil.com/products/small-frame-ribbon-attachmen |access-date=December 16, 2025 |website=Vanguard}}</ref> Use of the border shows the ribbon was awarded to individuals who were engaged in conducting or supporting combat operations in a designated combat zone; without indicates a non-combat area only in the case of the AFESR.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon |url=https://www.afpc.af.mil/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/421941/air-and-space-expeditionary-service-ribbon/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250608001612/https://www.afpc.af.mil/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/421941/air-and-space-expeditionary-service-ribbon/ |archive-date=2025-06-08 |access-date=2025-12-18 |work=Air Force's Personnel Center |language=en-US |url-status=live }}</ref> {| |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold border.png|width=80}} Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon (May be issued without gold border) |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=AF Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon.png|width=80}} Presidential Unit Citation (Version may be issued without gold border) |}

=== Army === The U.S. Army only uses the Gold frame attachment for unit awards in active service, reserve, national guard and state forces. The emblems are a consistent 1 7/16 inches wide and 9/16 inches tall with a gold frame that is 1/16 inch of laurel leaves.<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Army Service, Campaign Medals and Foreign Awards Information |url=https://veteranmedals.army.mil/home/us-army-medals-award-badges-ribbon-and-attachments-information/us-army-service-campaign-medals-and-foreign-awards-information |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251017162301/https://veteranmedals.army.mil/home/us-army-medals-award-badges-ribbon-and-attachments-information/us-army-service-campaign-medals-and-foreign-awards-information |archive-date=2025-10-17 |access-date=2025-12-18 |website=NATICK |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref> {| |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg|width=80}} Presidential Unit Citation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Valorous Unit Award ribbon.svg|width=80}} Valorous Unit Award (Army) |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=80}} Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Army Superior Unit Award ribbon.svg|width=80}} Superior Unit Award (Army) |}

=== Homeland Security === {| |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon= DHS Outstanding Unit Award.png|width=80}} DHS Outstanding Unit Award |}

=== Joint Service Awards === {{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Joint Meritorious Unit Award ribbon.svg|width=80}} Joint Meritorious Unit Award

=== Public Health Service === {| |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=USPHS PUC 2nd Award.svg|width=80}} Presidential Unit Citation (Public Health Service; A gold frame indicates a second award)<ref>{{cite web |date=19 January 2021 |title=COMMISSIONED CORPS INSTRUCTION 511.01 |url=https://dcp.psc.gov/ccmis/ccis/documents/CCI_511.01.pdf |access-date=6 April 2022 |website=Commissioned Corps Issuance System (CCIS) |publisher=US Department of Health and Human Services |page=7 |language=English}}</ref> |}

=== Transportation Department === {| |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award ribbon.png|width=80}} Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award (USCG; ''now obsolete'') |}

===National Guard and State Guard Forces=== {| |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=SGAUS Superior Unit Citation.PNG|width=80}} State Guard Association of the United States Superior Unit Citation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=MEMS Academy Unit Citation.PNG|width=80}} Military Emergency Management Specialist Academy Unit Citation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=ASDF Outstanding Unit Ribbon.PNG|width=80}} Alabama State Defense Force Outstanding Unit Commendation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Alaska National Guard - Governor's Distinguished Unit Citation ribbon bar.svg|width=80}} Alaska Governors Distinguished Unit Citation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=CA Governor's Outstanding Unit Citation.JPG|width=80}} California Governor's Outstanding Unit Citation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=CA Commanding General's Meritorious Unit Citation.JPG|width=80}} California Commanding General's Meritorious Unit Citation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=CASMR Governor's Outstanding Unit Citation.PNG|width=80}} California State Military Reserve Governor's Outstanding Unit Citation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=DE National Guard Governors Meritorious Unit Award.png|width=80}} Delaware National Guard Governor's Meritorious Unit Award |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=DE National Guard Unit Strength Award.png|width=80}} Delaware National Guard Unit Strength Award |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Florida Governor's Meritorious Unit Citation.gif|width=80}} Florida Governor's Meritorious Unit Citation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=GA National Guard Distinguished Unit.png|width=80}} Georgia Distinguished Unit Ribbon |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Georgia State Defense Force Outstanding Unit Citation Ribbon.jpg|width=80}} Georgia State Defense Force Outstanding Unit Citation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=ID Governors Outstanding Unit.PNG|width=80}} Idaho Governor's Outstanding Unit Citation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=ID Adjutant Generals Excellence Award.PNG|width=80}} Idaho Adjutant General's Excellence Award |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Georgia State Defense Force Outstanding Unit Citation Ribbon.jpg|width=80}} Indiana Guard Reserve Superior Unit Citation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=IANG Outstanding Unit Ribbon.png|width=80}} Iowa Outstanding Unit Award |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=FE Herbert Mer Unit Com.jpg|width=80}} Louisiana F.E. Herbert Meritorious Unit Commendation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=MDNGAGDUR.JPG|width=80}} Maryland Adjutant General's Special Recognition Ribbon |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=MA Meritorious Unit Citation.png|width=80}} Massachusetts Meritorious Unit Citation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Mississippi State Guard Outstanding Unit Citation.jpg|width=80}} Mississippi State Guard Outstanding Unit Citation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=NVNG Governor's Outstanding Unit Award.png|width=80}} Nevada Governor's Outstanding Unit Award |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Njgua.jpg|width=80}} New Jersey Governor's Unit Award |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Njusa.jpg|width=80}} New Jersey Unit Strength Award |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=New Mexico Outstanding Unit Citation.png|width=80}} New Mexico Outstanding Unit Citation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=New York Guard Commander's Citation.jpg|width=80}} New York Guard Commander's Citation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Ncguc.jpg|width=80}} North Carolina Governor's Unit Citation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Ncmuc.jpg|width=80}} North Carolina Meritorious Unit Citation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Ncoua.jpg|width=80}} North Carolina Outstanding Unit Award |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=NDARNG Outstanding Unit Citation.png|width=80}} North Dakota State Outstanding Unit Citation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=NDNG Governors Outstanding Unit Citation.png|width=80}} North Dakota Governor's Outstanding Unit Citation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=OHMR Commanding General's Meritorious Unit Service Award.jpg|width=80}} Ohio Military Reserve Commanding General's Meritorious Unit Service Award |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=OK Governor's Distinguished Unit Award.png|width=80}} Oklahoma Governor's Distinguished Unit Award |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Oklahoma National Guard Commander’s Trophy Award Ribbon.png|width=80}} Oklahoma Commander’s Trophy Award Ribbon |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=OR-SUR.jpg|width=80}} Oregon Superior Unit Ribbon |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=PA GUC.JPG|width=80}} Pennsylvania Governor's Unit Citation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Gubernatorial Unit Award.JPG|width=80}} Rhode Island Gubernatorial Unit Award |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=SC Governor's Unit Citation.JPG|width=80}} South Carolina Governor's Unit Citation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=SCSG Outstanding Unit Citation.jpg|width=80}} South Carolina State Guard Outstanding Unit Citation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=SCSG Unit Achievement Award.jpg|width=80}} South Carolina State Guard Unit Achievement Award |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=SDNG Desert Storm Unit Citation.png|width=80}} South Dakota Desert Storm Unit Citation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=SD NG Unit Citation.png|width=80}} South Dakota Unit Citation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=SD NG Distinguished Unit Award.png|width=80}} South Dakota Distinguished Unit Award |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=TNNG Governor`s Meritorious Unit.png|width=80}} Tennessee Meritorious Unit Citation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=TNNG Distinguished Unit.png|width=80}} Tennessee Distinguished Unit Citation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=TNNG Outstanding Unit Performance.png|width=80}} Tennessee Outstanding Unit Performance Commendation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=TNNG Volunteer Recruiting & Retention Unit.png|width=80}} Tennessee Volunteer Recruiting and Retention Unit Citation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Texas Governor's Unit Citation.svg|width=80}} Texas Governor's Unit Citation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=USA_-_TX_Orgainzational_Escellence_Unit_Award_Ribbon.png|width=80}} Texas Organizational Excellence Unit Award |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=USA_-_TX_State_Guard_Meritorious_Unit_Award.png|width=80}} Texas State Guard Meritorious Unit Award |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=VDF Unit Readiness Citation.png|width=80}} Virginia Defense Force Unit Readiness Citation (Dead Eye) |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=WAUC.jpg|width=80}} Washington Unit Citation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=WVNG Distinguished Unit Award.png|width=80}} West Virginia Distinguished Unit Award |}

==See also== * Awards and decorations of the United States military * Awards and decorations of the National Guard * Authorized foreign decorations of the United States military * United States military award devices

==Notes== {{reflist}}

Category:United States military award devices Category:Military awards and decorations of the United States Category:Ribbon symbolism