1. Description: The Presidential Unit Citation emblem worn
to represent award of the Presidential Unit Citation is 1 7/16 inches wide and 9/16 inch
in height. The emblem consists of a 1/16 inch wide Gold frame with laurel leaves which
encloses an Ultramarine Blue 67118 ribbon.
2. Criteria: The Presidential Unit Citation is awarded to
units of the Armed Forces of the United States and co-belligerent nations for
extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or after 7 December
1941. The unit must display such gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in
accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions as to set it
apart and above other units participating in the same campaign. The degree of heroism
required is the same as that which would warrant award of a Distinguished Service Cross to
an individual. Extended periods of combat duty or participation in a large number of
operational missions, either ground or air is not sufficient. This award will normally be
earned by units that have participated in single or successive actions covering relatively
brief time spans. It is not reasonable to presume that entire units can sustain
Distinguished Service Cross performance for extended time periods except under the most
unusual circumstances. Only on rare occasions will a unit larger than battalion qualify
for award of this decoration.
3. Components: The components of the Presidential Unit
Citation are the emblem awarded to members of the unit and the streamer for display on the
unit flag/guidon.
a. Presidential Unit Citation emblem: MIL-D-3943/32
(frame) and MIL-R-11589/54 (ribbon). NSN 8455-00-257-3875.
b. Streamer: MIL-S-14650/5. Manual requisition in
accordance with Chapter 9, Army Regulation (AR) 840-10.
4. Background: a. The Distinguished Unit Citation was
established as a result of Executive Order No. 9075, dated 26 February 1942. The Executive
Order directed the Secretary of War to issue citations in the name of the President of the
United States to Army units for outstanding performance of duty after 7 December 1941. The
design submitted by the Office of the Quartermaster General was approved by the G1 on 30
May 1942.
b. The Distinguished Unit Citation was redesignated
the Presidential Unit Citation (Army) per DF, DCSPER, date 3 November 1966.
c. The emblem is worn by all members of a cited
organization and is considered an individual decoration for persons in connection with the
cited acts and may be worn whether or not they continue as members of the organization.
Other personnel may wear this decoration while serving with an organization to indicate
the unit has been awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.
d. Order of precedence and wear policy for unit
awards is contained in Army Regulation (AR) 670-1. Policy for awards, approving authority,
and supply of the unit award emblem is contained in AR 600-8-22. The policy for display of
unit awards on guidons and flags and supply of streamers is contained in AR 840-10.
