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The
Presidential Unit Citation, originally called the Distinguished Unit
Citation, is awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and
allies for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy on or
after 7 December 1941 (the date of the Attack on Pearl Harbor and the start
of American involvement in World War II). The unit must display such
gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission
under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions so as to set it apart
from and above other units participating in the same campaign.
The Navy
citation is the unit equivalent of a Navy Cross and was established by
Executive Order No. 9050 on 6 February 1942.
The Navy
version has blue, yellow, and red horizontal stripes. To distinguish
between the two versions of the Presidential Unit Citation, the Navy
version is typically referred to as the Navy and Marine Corps Presidential
Unit Citation while the Army and Air Force refer to the decoration simply
as the Presidential Unit Citation. These are only worn by persons who meet
the criteria at the time it is awarded to the unit. Unlike the Army, those
who later join the unit do not wear it on a temporary basis.
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