Unit citation

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 File:Australian CoG Streamer.JPG
• Meritorious Unit Citation File:Australian MUC Streamer.JPG
• Group Bravery Citation – civilian award

Belgium

• Croix de guerre WWII version (also an individual award)

Canada

File:Canada Commander in Chief Unit Banner.svg

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) File:NOLH Streamer.JPG
• Ordre de la Libération (also an individual award)
• Médaille militaire (also an individual award)

India

• Chief of Air Staff’s citation - for Indian Air Force units
• President's Colour Award - the award of Military colours, standards and guidons to Indian Armed Forces units

Luxembourg

• Luxembourg War Cross (also an individual award) File:Luxembourg Croix de guerre unit Citation strem.jpg

Netherlands

• Military William Order (also an individual award)

Philippines

• Philippine Presidential Unit Citation File:Presidential Unit Citation (Philippines) Streamer.png
• Barangay Presidential Unit Citation Badge
• various single incident commemorative unit citations/badges.

Portugal

• War Cross (also an individual award)

South Korea

• Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation File:Streamer KPUC.PNG

South Vietnam

• Republic of Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation File:Streamer PUC Vietnam.PNG
• Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation (also an individual award) File:VGCP Streamer.jpg
• Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation (also an individual award) File:Streamer RVMUCCA.PNG

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
	File:Streamer PUC Army.PNG	File:U.S. Navy Unit Commendation streamer.svg	File:Streamer PUC Army.PNG	File:CG PUC Streamer.JPG
Department of Defense	Joint Meritorious Unit Award File:Streamer JMUA.PNG				Defense Superior Service Medal
branch-specific awards	Valorous Unit Award File:Streamer VUA Army.PNG	Navy Unit Commendation File:Navy Unit Commendation streamer.svg	Gallant Unit Citation File:GUC Streamer.JPG	Coast Guard Unit Commendation	Silver Star (VUA, GUC) Silver Star or Legion of Merit (NUC) Meritorious Service Medal (CGUC)
	Meritorious Unit Commendation File:Streamer MUC Army.PNG	Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation File:Meritorious Unit Commendation (Navy-Marine) Streamer.jpg	Air Force Meritorious Unit Award File:AF MUA Streamer.JPG	Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation	Legion of Merit (MUC, AFMUA) Bronze Star (NMUC) CG Achievement Medal (CGMUC)
	Superior Unit Award File:Streamer SUC.png	none	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award File:Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Streamer.jpg	Meritorious Team Commendation	Commandant's Letter of Commendation (MTC)
Efficiency awards	None	Navy E Ribbon	Organizational Excellence Award File:AFOEA Streamer.jpg	Coast Guard E Ribbon	–

Others (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, state defense forces, and auxiliaries like the Civil Air Patrol and Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Sources and references

• Nouveau Petit Larousse Illustré, 1951 (in French)