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
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- 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.svg.png.webp){kind=small} | 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_Streamer.jpg.webp){kind=small} | 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 | – |
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:
- 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)
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