Silver Lifesaving Medal Ribbon

The Silver Lifesaving Medal (SLM) stands as a distinguished honor within the United States Coast Guard, open to both Armed Forces personnel and civilians. Established through an act of Congress in 1874, it holds the distinction of being one of the oldest medals in the United States. While originally conferred by the Department of Treasury, the medal is currently awarded by the United States Coast Guard under the auspices of the Department of Homeland Security.

These Lifesaving Medals are bestowed upon individuals—military and civilian alike—who engage in the rescue or attempted rescue of others facing peril in the water, be it from drowning, shipwreck, or similar dangers. The medal is categorized into two grades: a Gold medal, reserved for instances involving extreme risk to one's own life during the rescue, and a Silver medal for all other circumstances. Notably, what sets these medals apart from other U.S. military honors is that their medallions are crafted from the actual metal grade of the medal, either Gold or Silver, providing a unique distinction from the usual alloyed composition of other military awards.