A question that comes up very often from veterans and their families, as well as military enthusiasts, is, “What are Armed Forces Unit Awards really about?” Do they really stand for something or are they just “I was there awards.” Well, the answer is …”It depends on the unit award.” A Presidential Unit Citation is a big deal ..unless, of course, it is a Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation and then it is sadly an, “I was there award.” However, the Army, Navy and Air Force Presidential Unit Citation is the personal equivalent of that service’s Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross or Air Force Cross. It is a big deal. On the other hand, the Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation was handed out to every Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary in uniform during Katrina operations. Not such a big deal when everyone in a service gets a military medal, even if they were a thousand miles from the operation.
Shown below is a chart listing the 21 Unit awards of the Armed Forces and their equivalent personal award or service requirement. You can see they range the full spectrum from great valor to being on duty during the Bicentennial.
Unit Awards and Equivalent Personal Award
| No. | Rank | Unit Award | Equivalent Personal Award of Service Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1AR | 1 | Army Presidential Unit Citation | Distinguished Service Cross |
| 1N | 2 | Navy Presidential Unit Citation | Navy Cross |
| 1AF | 3 | Air Force Presidential Unit Citation | Distinguished Service Cross or Air Force Cross |
| 1CG | 4 | CG Presidential Unit Citation | Awarded to all CG for Katrina operations |
| 2AF | 5 | Air Force Gallant Unit Citation | Silver Star |
| DOD | 6 | Joint Meritorious Unit Award | Defense Superior Service Medal |
| 2AR | 7 | Army Valorous Unit Award | Silver Star |
| 2N | 8 | Navy Unit Commendation | Silver Star (for heroism) Legion of Merit (for meritorious service) |
| 3AR | 9 | Army Meritorious Unit Commendation | Legion of Merit |
| 3AF | 10 | Air Force Meritorious Unit Award | Legion of Merit |
| 3N | 11 | Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation | Bronze Star Medal |
| 4AF | 12 | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award | “Exceptionally meritorious service” or “Exceptionally outstanding achievement” |
| 5AF | 13 | Air Force Organizational Excellence | “Exceptionally meritorious service” or “Exceptionally outstanding achievement” |
| 4AR | 14 | Army Superior Unit Award | Outstanding meritorious performance during peacetime |
| 1CG | 15 | DOT Secretary’s Outstanding Unit Award | “Valorous or extremely meritorious service” (1993-1994 only) |
| 2CG | 16 | Coast Guard Unit Commendation | Coast Guard Commendation Medal |
| 3CG | 17 | CG Meritorious Unit Commendation | CG Achievement Medal |
| 4CG | 18 | CG Meritorious Team Commendation | Commandant’s Commendation Letter |
| 4N | 19 | Navy “E” Ribbon | Winner of Battle Effeciency Competition |
| 5CG | 20 | Coast Guard “E” Ribbon | Winner of Operational Readiness Award |
| 6CG | 21 | CG Bicentenial Unit Commendation | Honorable Service between 1989-1990 |
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The question is " WHAT ARE ARMED FORCES UNIT AWARDS " Really about ?
WELL TO ASK THE QUESTION THE PERSON OR PERSONS MUST NOT HAVE BEEN IN SERVICE. BUT THE ANSWER IS, IT IS AN AWARD GIVEN TO A UNIT.THANKING THEM FOR A JOB WELL DONE AND REMEMBERING THAT THERE DEAD AND WOUNDED HAVE NOT DIED IN VAINE. THAT THERE COUNTRY IS PROUD OF THEM.AS ARE THE PRESEDENT AND CONGRASS.
WITH THAT SAID WE THEN AS VERERANS HAVE TO FIGHT THE VA FOR EVERY THING.EVEN POOR HEATH CARE IN SOME HOSPITALS.
Better take spelling lessons. Vain not vaine congress not congrass President not presedent
1st batt 9th marines the walking dead, in country 1966-1967 what medals and ribbons do they rate??
How abouy the Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation? (Gallantry Cross)
Thank you for this information. It puts a new light on what we are all about and what our service to our country and the world is worth. I too would like to know the value of the RVMUC. I know it something to do with the Fourragere, in some respects, and the French Cross of WWII.
George Ferguson