Army Valorous Unit Citation Mini-Ribbon

Instituted: 1963 Criteria: Awarded to U.S. Army units for outstanding heroism in armed combat against an opposing armed force Devices: Bronze, Silver Oak Leaf Cluster The Army Valorous Unit Citation was approved and established by the Army Chief of Staff on January 12, 1966. It is awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy of the United States while engaged in conflict with an opposing foreign force on or after August 3, 1963. The Valorous Unit Award requires a lesser degree of gallantry than that required for the Presidential Unit Citation. Nevertheless, the unit must have performed with marked distinction under difficult and hazardous conditions so as to set it apart from the other units participating in the same conflict. The degree of heroism required is the same as that which would warrant award of the Silver Star to an individual. This award will normally be earned by units that have participated in single or successive actions covering relatively brief time spans but only on rare occasions will a unit larger than a battalion qualify for this award. Additional awards are denoted by bronze oak leaf clusters.