NOTICE This Display Recognition is available ONLY to authorized recipients who possess orders, or authorization form, or release documentation that confirms award eligibility. (See "Issue Requirements"). To obtain either a Display Medal or a Display Recognition for your authorized award you will be required to provide military-issued documentation authorizing your award. There are no exceptions. WARNING! You must NOT submit a military issued document or photocopy that: has been altered in any way by you after the original's official issue contains information or corrections or additions that you entered lists awards or training you knowingly did not receive contains highlighting, colorizing or other markings you entered Be advised that on request any knowingly fraudulent document sent by you will be released to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that may result in prosecution and/or fine/imprisonment. Email Questions, or Phone: 1-562-422-4100 (Pacific Time Zone)

Personnel Branch
Processing and Delivery

Style	Admin	Shipping	Total
Full Color .PDF (Printable)	$7.50	Emailed	$7.50
Published Document only (Full Color)	$14.00	$10.77 USPS	$24.77
Published Document in Heavy Bond Enclosure (Full Color)	$19.00	$10.77 USPS	$29.77
Full Color Printable Certificates on CD-Rom (minimum 20 Certificates)	$7.50	$7.50	By Count

*** USPS USPS Shipping fee based on 1 Certificate shipped to any U.S. state, FPO or APO

** USPS USPS Shipping fee based on 1 Certificate shipped to any U.S. state, FPO or APO

Contact The War Library for international shipping cost

How to Apply

You may apply for your Display Recognition using a...

Check Debit card (* Shipped within 1 week)

Charge card (* Shipped within 1 week)

Personal, Business, Bank or Cashiers Check ( Shipped in 6 weeks)

Money Order (* Shipped in 6 weeks)

(* Upon reception of required documentation)

Complete and MAIL this APPLICATION FORM.
Don't forget to include an unaltered COPY of your DD-214, WD AGO 53-55 or other pre-arranged document(s).

DISPLAY RECOGNITION and/or MEDAL APPLICATION FORM

Mailing Address

Records Chief (REC-AMW)
The American War Library
817 East Via Carmelitos Ste 319
Long Beach CA 90805-7549

Questions?

Click here for answers to common questions

Email: Shellback Display Recognition Inquiry

Telephone: 1-562-422-4100 (Pacific Time Zone)

Copyright ©  The American War Library
Military and Veteran Websites
The G.I. Photograph Museum of Honor
Locator Registry Applications
Accessing The Worldwide Military Personnel Database

Issue Regulations
Shellback

Click for larger image
In the U.S. Navy, when a ship crosses the equator a time-honored ceremony takes place. This is a Navy tradition and an event no sailor ever forgets. With few exceptions, those who have been inducted into the "mysteries of the deep" by Neptunus Rex and his Royal court, count the experience as a highlight of their naval career. Members of Neptunus Rex's party usually include Davy Jones, Neptune's first assistant, Her Highness Amphitrite, the Royal Scribe, the Royal Doctor, the Royal Dentist, the Royal Baby, the Royal Navigator, the Royal Chaplain, the Royal Judge, Attorneys, Barbers and other names that suit the party.

Officially recognized by service record entries indicating date, time, latitude and longitude, the crossing of the equator involves elaborate preparation by the "shellbacks" (those who have crossed the equator before) to ensure the "pollywogs" (those who are about to cross the equator for the first time) are properly indoctrinated. All pollywogs, even the Commanding Officer if he has not crossed before, must participate.

A Golden Shellback is one who has crossed the equator at the 180th meridian.

Go To Top of Page
Go To Issue Regulations for Other Medals and Badges