A question that comes up very often from veterans and their families, as well as military enthusiasts, is, “What are Armed Forces Unit Awards really about?” Do they really stand for something or are they just “I was there awards.” Well, the answer is …”It depends on the unit award.” A Presidential Unit Citation is a big deal ..unless, of course, it is a Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation and then it is sadly an, “I was there award.” However, the Army, Navy and Air Force Presidential Unit Citation is the personal equivalent of that service’s Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross or Air Force Cross. It is a big deal. On the other hand, the Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation was handed out to every Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary in uniform during Katrina operations. Not such a big deal when everyone in a service gets a military medal, even if they were a thousand miles from the operation.
Shown below is a chart listing the 21 Unit awards of the Armed Forces and their equivalent personal award or service requirement. You can see they range the full spectrum from great valor to being on duty during the Bicentennial.
Unit Awards and Equivalent Personal Award
| No. | Rank | Unit Award | Equivalent Personal Award of Service Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1AR | 1 | Army Presidential Unit Citation | Distinguished Service Cross |
| 1N | 2 | Navy Presidential Unit Citation | Navy Cross |
| 1AF | 3 | Air Force Presidential Unit Citation | Distinguished Service Cross or Air Force Cross |
| 1CG | 4 | CG Presidential Unit Citation | Awarded to all CG for Katrina operations |
| 2AF | 5 | Air Force Gallant Unit Citation | Silver Star |
| DOD | 6 | Joint Meritorious Unit Award | Defense Superior Service Medal |
| 2AR | 7 | Army Valorous Unit Award | Silver Star |
| 2N | 8 | Navy Unit Commendation | Silver Star (for heroism) Legion of Merit (for meritorious service) |
| 3AR | 9 | Army Meritorious Unit Commendation | Legion of Merit |
| 3AF | 10 | Air Force Meritorious Unit Award | Legion of Merit |
| 3N | 11 | Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation | Bronze Star Medal |
| 4AF | 12 | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award | “Exceptionally meritorious service” or “Exceptionally outstanding achievement” |
| 5AF | 13 | Air Force Organizational Excellence | “Exceptionally meritorious service” or “Exceptionally outstanding achievement” |
| 4AR | 14 | Army Superior Unit Award | Outstanding meritorious performance during peacetime |
| 1CG | 15 | DOT Secretary’s Outstanding Unit Award | “Valorous or extremely meritorious service” (1993-1994 only) |
| 2CG | 16 | Coast Guard Unit Commendation | Coast Guard Commendation Medal |
| 3CG | 17 | CG Meritorious Unit Commendation | CG Achievement Medal |
| 4CG | 18 | CG Meritorious Team Commendation | Commandant’s Commendation Letter |
| 4N | 19 | Navy “E” Ribbon | Winner of Battle Effeciency Competition |
| 5CG | 20 | Coast Guard “E” Ribbon | Winner of Operational Readiness Award |
| 6CG | 21 | CG Bicentenial Unit Commendation | Honorable Service between 1989-1990 |
