A unit citation is a formal, honorary mention by high authority of a military unit's specific and outstanding performance, notably in battle.
Similar mentions can also be made for individual soldiers.
Alternatively or concurrently, the unit can be awarded an honorary title, a mention on the flag or a decoration.
In France, since 1916, the fourragère (an ornamental colored cord) is worn on the uniform by the members of a unit which had received several citations. This tradition has since spread to other countries.
Unit citations by country[]
Australia[]
- Unit Citation for Gallantry
- Meritorious Unit Citation
- Group Bravery Citation - Civilian award
Belgium[]
- Croix de guerre WWII version (also an individual award)
Canada[]
The banner of the C-in-C Unit Commendation
- Commander-in-Chief Unit Commendation (combat zone)
- Canadian Forces' Unit Commendation (non-combat zone)
France[]
- Légion d'honneur (also an individual award)
- Ordre de la Libération (also an individual award)
- Médaille militaire (also an individual award)
Luxembourg[]
- Luxembourg War Cross (also an individual award)
Netherlands[]
- Military William Order (also an individual award)
South Korea[]
South Vietnam[]
- Republic of Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation
- Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation (also an individual award)
- Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation (also an individual award)
Philippines[]
- Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
- Barangay Presidential Unit Citation Badge
- various single incident commemorative unit citations/badges.
Portugal[]
- War Cross (also an individual award)
United States[]
Military (In order of precedence)
| Level | Army | Navy/Marines | Air Force | Coast Guard | Individual equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commander-in-Chief | Presidential Unit Citation | Distinguished Service Cross (Army) Navy Cross Air Force Cross Coast Guard Cross | |||
|
|
|
| ||
| Department of Defense | Joint Meritorious Unit Award |
Defense Superior Service Medal | |||
| branch-specific awards | Valorous Unit Award |
Navy Unit Commendation |
Gallant Unit Citation |
Coast Guard Unit Commendation | Silver Star (VUA, GUC) Silver Star or Legion of Merit (NUC) Meritorious Service Medal (CGUC) |
Meritorious Unit Commendation |
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation |
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award |
Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation | Legion of Merit (MUC, AFMUA) Bronze Star (NMUC) CG Achievement Medal (CGMUC) | |
Superior Unit Award |
none | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |
Meritorious Team Commendation | Commandant's Letter of Commendation (MTC) | |
| Efficiency awards | None | Navy E Ribbon | Organizational Excellence Award |
Coast Guard E Ribbon | - |
Other's (Alphabetical):
- Coast Guard Bicentennial Unit Commendation (United States Coast Guard)
- Merchant Marine Gallant Ship Citation (United States Merchant Marine)
- National Intelligence Meritorious Unit Citation (United States Intelligence Community)
- NGA Meritorious Unit Award (National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency), and its predecessor the NIMA Meritorious Unit Award (National Imagery and Mapping Agency)
- NOAA Unit Citation Award (NOAA Corps)
- Public Health Service Commissioned Corps:
- 3 levels-PHS Presidential Unit Citation, PHS Outstanding Unit Citation, PHS Unit Commendation.
- Also the PHS Bicentennial Unit Commendation Award
- Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award (Department of Transportation, also a pre-2003 award of the United States Coast Guard)
- Unit Award for Excellence of Service (United States Department of the Interior)
further, there are various unit awards of the National Guard and state defense forces
Sources and references[]
- Nouveau Petit Larousse Illustré, 1951 (in French)
The original article can be found at Unit citation and the edit history here.