U.S. Army Unit Awards

The Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) was established by Executive Order in February 1942 as the Distinguished Unit Badge.  The name was changed in 1966 to the Presidential Unit Citation.  The award recognized the same degree of combat heroism by a unit as the Distinguished Service Crass does for an individual.

This award was established by the Sectetary of Defense in July 1982.  The JMUA is intended to recognize units which distinguish themselves by exceptional meritorious achievement while participating in joint activities of the U.S. Armed Forces.

The Valorous Unit Award is intended to recognize gallantry in combat by units of brigade or battalion size.  The generally accepted standard equates to the same degree of heroism that would merit award of the Silver Star to an individual.

The Meritorious Unit Citation was established in 1944 to recognize units that have displayed exceptionally meritorious service for a period of at least 6 months during operations against an armed enemy. Units do not have to be in direct contact with the enemy, only deployed within the geographic area of combat operations.  The generally accepted standard equates to the same degree of meritorious service that would merit award of the Legion of Merit to an individual.

The Army Superior Unit Award was established in April 1985 for award to battalion and smaller sized units which distinguish themselves during peacetime by meritorious performance during a difficult or challenging mission under extraordinary circumstances.

The Presidential Unit Citation for Navy and Marine Corps units was established by Executive Order in January 1957 as the Distinguished Unit Badge.  The name was changed in 1966 to the Presidential Unit Citation.  The award recognized the same degree of combat heroism by a unit as the Navy Crass does for an individual.

This award was established by the Sectetary of Defense in July 1982.  The JMUA is intended to recognize units which distinguish themselves by exceptional meritorious achievement while participating in joint activities of the U.S. Armed Forces.

This award was authorized by the Secretary of the Navy in December 1944 to recognize units that have displayed exceptionally meritorious service during operations against an armed enemy.

Units which are awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation have displayed valorous or meritorious service which would equate to award of the Bronze Star to an individual.  This award was first authorized by the Secretary of the Navy in July 1967.

The Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) was established by Executive Order in February 1942 as the Distinguished Unit Badge.  The name was changed in 1966 to the Presidential Unit Citation.  The award recognized the same degree of combat heroism by a unit as the Distinguished Service Crass does for an individual.

This award was established by the Sectetary of Defense in July 1982.  The JMUA is intended to recognize units which distinguish themselves by exceptional meritorious achievement while participating in joint activities of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Prior to its establishment as a seperate branch of the Armed Forces and the establishment of the Outstanding Unit Award, the Air Force used Army unit awards to recognize the meritorious service of its units. Established in January 1954, the AFOUA can recognize either combat valor or meritorious service.  When awarded for combat valor, the "V" device is worn on the ribbon.

The Organizational Excellence Award was established in August 1966 to recognize meritorious service by un-numbered organizations such as MAJCOM headquarters, DRUs, centers, etc.

The Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) was established by Executive Order in February 1942 as the Distinguished Unit Badge.  The name was changed in 1966 to the Presidential Unit Citation.  The award recognized the same degree of combat heroism by a unit as the Distinguished Service Crass does for an individual.  The Navy PUC is awarded to Coast Guard Units during time of war (when the Coast Guard is under control of the Navy Department).

This award was established by the Sectetary of Defense in July 1982.  The JMUA is intended to recognize units which distinguish themselves by exceptional meritorious achievement while participating in joint activities of the U.S. Armed Forces.

This award was established by the Sectetary of Transportation and is intended to recognize units which distinguish themselves by exceptional meritorious achievement while participating in significant activities of during noncombat operations or exercises.

Authorized by the Commandant of the Coast Guard in January 1963, the Unit Commendation recognizes units that have distinguished themselves by exceptionally valorous or meritorious service of a noncombat nature.

The Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon (MUC) was authorized in November 1973 to recognize units of the Coast Guard or Coast Guard Reserve that have distinguished themselves by valorous or meritorious service of a noncombat nature.

The Meritorious Team Commendation Ribbon recognizes small unit teams who distinguish themselves by meritorious service or achievement of a noncombat nature.   This award is similiar to the MUC Ribbon, but at a smaller unit level.

The Bicentennial Unit Commendation was authorized in January 1990 was extended to all members of the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reserve who served at least one day of qualifying service between 4 June 1989 and 4 August 1990.