Presidential Unit Citation (United States)

Presidential Unit Citation (United States). The Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) is one of the highest unit awards bestowed upon United States Armed Forces and allied military units for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy. Equivalent to an individual receiving the Navy Cross or Distinguished Service Cross (United States), the award recognizes collective gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps under extremely hazardous conditions. The citation is authorized by the United States Department of Defense and has distinct versions for the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, United States Air Force, and United States Coast Guard.

History and establishment

The award was originally established as the Distinguished Unit Citation by Executive order 9075 on February 26, 1942, signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II. It was created to recognize the collective heroism of units like the Flying Tigers and those involved in the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo. In 1966, under the authority of President Lyndon B. Johnson and Department of the Army General Orders, the award was renamed the Presidential Unit Citation to better reflect its prestige. The establishment paralleled the creation of other unit awards such as the Navy Unit Commendation and followed the precedent of similar allied honors like the British Distinguished Service Order.

Criteria and award process

The criteria for the award require that a unit display such gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions as to set it apart from and above other units participating in the same campaign. The action must be one for which all members of the unit shall be recognized, akin to the standards for the Silver Star or Legion of Merit for individuals. The award process is initiated by a recommendation through the chain of command, with final approval authority resting with the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of the respective service branch. Notable campaigns leading to the award include the Battle of the Bulge, the Chosin Reservoir campaign during the Korean War, and operations during the Vietnam War like the Battle of Ia Drang.

Design and appearance

The design varies slightly between service branches but shares common elements. The United States Army and United States Air Force version consists of a gold-colored medal within a blue enamel laurel wreath, suspended from a ribbon with a wide blue center stripe flanked by thin stripes of white, red, white, and blue edges. The United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Coast Guard version is a navy blue and gold ribbon bar with a blue center flanked by yellow, blue, and red stripes. The emblem is often worn as a ribbon on the uniform, and a streamer of the same pattern is affixed to the unit's colors, a tradition shared with other unit awards like the Meritorious Unit Commendation.

Notable recipients and citations

Hundreds of units have received the citation for actions spanning from World War II to recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Early notable recipients include the crew of the USS *Enterprise* (CV-6) for actions in the Pacific War, the 1st Marine Division for the Battle of Guadalcanal, and the 442nd Infantry Regiment (United States). During the Korean War, units such as the 2nd Infantry Division (United States) at the Battle of Chipyong-ni were cited. In the Vietnam War, the 1st Cavalry Division (United States) and the 173rd Airborne Brigade were among recipients. Allied units have also been honored, including the British Special Air Service and the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam.

Order of precedence and display

In the order of precedence for unit awards, the Presidential Unit Citation is ranked highest among all unit decorations, above the Valorous Unit Award and the Meritorious Unit Commendation. For individual service members, the ribbon is worn above the right breast pocket, taking precedence over all other unit award ribbons. The corresponding streamer is displayed on the unit's flag or guidon, with multiple awards denoted by embroidered stars or oak leaf clusters. This protocol is governed by regulations from the United States Department of Defense and individual service branches like the United States Army Institute of Heraldry.

Category:Military awards and decorations of the United States Category:Unit awards of the United States military