For some time now the ACWGC Union Army has not had a distinctive device by which the services of an officer who has been either appointed or elected to a High Command position may be recognized. This has now been addressed by the Union Army Awards Committee, which recently has approved and installed the first of these "Command Service" awards, the CoA Service Ribbon.
The CoA Service Ribbon carries the gold abbreviation of "CoA" in the center of a deep, dark blue field surrounded in a gold, bullion border, the number of years served correspondingly displayed by an equal number of golden "pips."
Two officers within the present Union ranks have served in the capacity as Union Chief of the Army: General Jeff Laub, recently honored for his four years of service; and General Mark Nelms, his predecessor, for an equivalent two years of service.
It is my distinct pleasure as the serving Chairmman of the Union Army Awards Committee and on the instructions of General D.S. Walter and on behalf of all of the active officers of the ACWGC Union Army to make formal presentation of these ribbons to each officer named.
<font color="beige"><b><center><font size="4">To General Jeff Laub for his four years of service as the Union Chief of the Army. </font id="size4"></center></b></font id="beige">
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<font color="beige"><b><center><font size="4">To General Mark Nelms for his two years of service as the Union Chief of the Army. </font id="size4"></center></b></font id="beige">
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These ribbons are awarded to each of you in the expectation that you will liberally display your gratitude by declaring the Mason Dixon Tavern bar open on your personal accounts for the remainder of the day!
Congratulations!
General Jos. C. Meyer
Commander, Army of the Tennessee
acting Union Army Chief of Staff
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