The Combat Action Ribbon (CAR, kah-ARR), is a high precedence United States Navy, United States Coast Guard, and United States Marine Corps military decoration awarded to United States sea service members "who have actively participated in ground or surface combat." Coast Guardsmen, Navy sailors, and Marines active in clandestine, stealth or special operations are deemed eligible for consideration of the award. The Navy Combat Action Ribbon was originally retroactive to March 1961; in 1999 it was made retroactive to 7 December 1941.