Army Superior Unit Award

Army Superior Unit Award. It is a prestigious unit award presented to recognize outstanding meritorious performance by a unit during peacetime or for non-combat operations. The award is granted by the United States Department of the Army to units of the United States Army and to Allied units serving directly with the U.S. Army. It occupies a significant place in the hierarchy of United States military decorations, sitting below the Valorous Unit Award and above the Army Meritorious Unit Commendation.

History and establishment

The award was established by the Secretary of the Army on 4 January 1985, filling a gap in the recognition system for exceptional unit performance outside of combat. Its creation was influenced by the existing Air Force Outstanding Unit Award and the Meritorious Unit Commendation used by the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The first awards were retroactively presented for qualifying service dating back to 1975, covering significant Cold War-era missions. Early recipients included units involved in operations like the recovery of the Space Shuttle Challenger wreckage and support during the United States invasion of Grenada.

Criteria and eligibility

Units are eligible for the award for exceptionally meritorious performance in a difficult and challenging mission under extraordinary circumstances during peacetime. The period of service must be at least 90 days but not more than 24 months. Eligible actions include, but are not limited to, complex training exercises with NATO allies, major humanitarian assistance missions, critical counter-drug operations, and significant disaster relief efforts such as those following Hurricane Katrina. The award can also be given for sustained operational service in a hostile environment where no Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or similar campaign medal is authorized. Approval authority rests with the Department of the Army, based on recommendations from major Army commands like United States Army Forces Command or United States Army Europe and Africa.

Design and appearance

The award consists of a ribbon and a distinctive unit emblem. The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide, featuring a central stripe of Scarlet flanked on either side by stripes of White, Old Glory Blue, and Golden Yellow. The service ribbon is worn by all assigned personnel during the cited period. The unit emblem is a gold-colored metal device, 1 1/2 inches in height, depicting a bald eagle with wings displayed, grasping a U.S. Army sword and a branch of olive. This emblem is worn as a permanent part of the unit's guidons and colors to signify the collective honor.

Notable recipient units

Many distinguished formations have received this honor for a wide array of missions. The 1st Infantry Division was recognized for its role in Operation Bright Star in Egypt. The 10th Mountain Division received the award for its humanitarian aid work in Honduras and for supporting the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. The 20th Engineer Brigade was cited for its construction efforts during Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Other notable recipients include the Berlin Brigade for its service during the final years of the Cold War, and various Military Police battalions for supporting the United States Secret Service during national security events.

Order of precedence and display

Within the United States Army's order of precedence for unit awards, it is ranked directly below the Valorous Unit Award and directly above the Army Meritorious Unit Commendation. It is considered equivalent to the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. When worn on the Army Service Uniform, the ribbon follows the Valorous Unit Award ribbon. The unit streamer, in the ribbon's colors, is attached to the organization's flag, and the permanent metal device is affixed to the flagstaff. Individual soldiers who were assigned to the unit during the cited period wear the service ribbon on their uniform, while those joining later wear the emblem as a Badge on the right pocket. Category:Unit awards of the United States Army Category:Military awards and decorations of the United States