Navy Unit Commendation

The Navy Unit Commendation (NUC) is a unit award of the United States Navy that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December 1944. The ribbon is awarded by the Navy Secretary to any ship; aircraft wing, group, squadron, detachment or crew; or other unit of the United States Navy or Marine Corps which has since 6 December 1941 distinguished itself in action against the enemy with outstanding heroism but not sufficient to justify award of the U.S. Presidential Unit Citation. To be eligible for the award, the unit must have performed service of a character comparable to that which would merit the award of a Silver Star Medal in combat, or achievement of like caliber in a non-combat situation, to an individual. It is also awarded for non-combat service, in support of military operations, which was outstanding when compared to other units or organizations performing similar service. USN ships and units and USMC units awarded the NUC are awarded a pennant which may be flown from those ships or from activities ashore. Display of the ribbon by awarded units in painted form is also customary on the superstructure of naval vessels, on aircraft, on or in aircraft hangars, or on signboards in front of unit facilities ashore.

The U.S. Coast Guard equivalent is the Coast Guard Unit Commendation.

U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force units and personnel are also eligible to be awarded the NUC so long as they are directly attached or assigned to U.S. Navy or U.S. Marine Corps units during the time period or event for which the award is given. U.S. Army personnel do not wear the Navy Unit Commendation ribbon as a part of their personal awards and medals but, rather, above the right breast pocket with other unit award emblems authorized for wear.