The Navy "E" Ribbon or Battle Efficiency Ribbon was authorized on March 31, 1976, by Secretary of the Navy J. William Middendorf as a unit award for battle efficiency competition. The service ribbon replaced the "E" patch previously sewn on the right sleeve of the enlisted naval uniform for rates/pay grades E-1 through E-6.
Image: E device with wreath
Battle Effectiveness Award
The Battle Effectiveness Award, is awarded annually to the small number of United States Navy ships, submarines, aviation, and other deployable combat coded units that win their battle effectiveness competition.
Crewmembers paint a gold "E" on the stack of the USS Rankin
Crew members aboard the guided missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG-62) assemble on the ship's bridge wing to admire the painting of a gold "E". The painted green H is for the Force Health and Wellness Unit Award
USS Simon Bolivar (SSBN-641) awarded with the Battle "E" for most outstanding ballistic missile nuclear submarine in 1974, 1975 and 1976