Presidential Unit Citation (United States)
The Presidential Unit Citation (PUC), originally called the Distinguished Unit Citation, is awarded to units of the uniformed services of the United States, and those of allied countries, 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.
| Presidential Unit Citation | |
|---|---|
| U.S. Army U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force U.S. Coast Guard U.S. Public Health Service | |
| Type | Ribbon (decoration) |
| Awarded for | "Gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions." |
| Presented by | United States Department of the Army United States Department of the Navy United States Department of the Air Force United States Department of Homeland Security |
| Eligibility | Military units |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| First awarded | 1941 |
Streamers: Top; Army, Air Force, and Space Force Middle; Navy and Marine Corps Bottom; Coast Guard | |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Army: Army Achievement Medal Naval Service: Combat Action Ribbon Air and Space Forces: Combat Action Medal Coast Guard: Coast Guard Combat Action Ribbon |
| Individual equivalent | Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, Air Force Cross, Coast Guard Cross |
| Next (lower) | Joint Meritorious Unit Award |
Since its inception by President Franklin D. Roosevelt with the signing of Executive Order 9075 on 26 February 1942, retroactive to 7 December 1941, to 2008, the Presidential Unit Citation has been awarded in conflicts such as World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Iraq War, and the War in Afghanistan.
The collective degree of valor (combat heroism) against an armed enemy by the unit nominated for the PUC is the same as that which would warrant award of the individual award of the Distinguished Service Cross, Air Force Cross or Navy Cross. In some cases, one or more individuals within the unit may have also been awarded individual awards for their contribution to the actions for which their entire unit was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation. The units with the most Presidential Unit Citations are submarine USS Parche (SSN-683) and the 1st Marine Division, both with nine citations.