I could probably Google this but it's so much more fun asking you guys. How small, or large, a "unit" can get a Presidential Unit Citation, PUC? I think in the Navy individual ships, or aircraft squadrons, could earn one. What about the Army or Marines? Would a unit as small a infantry company get one, or would it need to be at least a regiment? Would a unit as large as entire division or army win one?

Rodger,
I can confirm that in the Navy, ships and squadrons can earn one. I got two for operations conducted on Submarines during the cold war. I think the current criteria states that units larger than a battalion won't normally recieve the award.
HTH
Rob

I seem to recall that the Army prefers limiting them to battalion size and smaller. However, the 101st Airborne, to name just one, received one for Normandy. I would guess the 82nd also received one. So, there are exceptions, but generally speaking it is awarded at the battalion and lower level. We also have the meritorious unit and distinguished unit awards. The Army's Center for Military History website can provide you specifics on who gets them in the Army. It's a big deal--rightly so.

Army 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.

John

I believe that the 101st won theirs (as a division) for Bastogne (I could be wrong) Elements of the Division won some for Normandy (for example the 506th Regmt.) The 2nd Division won one in Korea. By and large though, it is an award most often earned by smaller (than Division) units, although the establishing regulations (from 1942) indicate that any unit, from individual aircraft, up to and including entire installations could receive the award.

John

Thanks guys. I was figuring it would probably be smaller units, Battalion, or even company level or smaller. Seems to me that any unit much larger and it would be hard to justify it.

The 487th Fighter Squadron got one for their Jan. 1, 1945 action at airstrip Y-29 in Belgium.


Cheers,
Charles

John-- don't think so. The division won one for Normandy and the other for Bastogne actions.

Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for NORMANDY (Division and 1st Brigade Only)
Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for BASTOGNE (Division and 1st Brigade Only)

DJ

Didn't USS Yorktown CV-10 win the award as well?

Yes, Yorktown (CV-10) earned 11 battle stars and the Presidential Unit Citation during World War II and five battle stars for Vietnam service.
DJ

Was quite surprised to find out that 2 Squadron SAAF ("The Flying Cheetahs") were awarded the United States Presidential Unit Citation for their actions during the Korean War. A truly prestigious award for a foreign (Non-US) unit to receive.

In reply to your last post Savage, about foreign units being awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, there are 2 others that I can think of, just off the top of my head;

Princess Patricia’s Light Infantry (Canada)
3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment

Both won in the Battle of Kapyong, during the Korean War.

I believe the unit Citation was also awarded to the Gloucestershire Regiment (UK) for their actions in the Korean war. The blue & gold rectangle is still worn on parade dress as far as I am aware.

I believe you are correct on that point. As I recall that was one off the bloodier battles of the Korean War and those guys were left hanging out on a limb for a long time. I am correct in my recollection?

H company 504th PIR, 82nd Airborne recieved the Citation for action in Anzio. General Mark Clark decorated the company guidon in Bagnoli, Italy in April 1944.

Jamie

DJ has seen this post from me before on another thread. The 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry of Canada won the Unit Citation for actions in the Korean war at the Battle of Kap'yong. This unit has been fighting in Arfghanistan recently and is the only Canadian unit to have won this award.

The story of the battle can be read here. Read it, it's the stuff of legend......:

http://www.kvacanada.com/stories_rskap'yong.htm


Bob

Bob-- thanks for refreshing our collective memories on the actions of some true heroes.
DJ

Don't forget D Coy, 6 RAR

From Digger History

During the period June to August 1966, 6RAR conducted two major operations. Operation ENOGGERA was the search and clearance of the previously unsettled village of Long Phuoc, and Operation HOBART was a five-day search and destroy mission. The two operations accounted for 36 enemy casualties and the destruction of several camp installations and caches.

Operation HOBART also saw the Battalion come in contact with the enemy provincial Mobile Battalion D445 which was subsequently met and defeated at Long Tan.

A mortar and recoilless rifle attack on the Task Force area opened operation SMITHFIELD on the night of 16/17 August 1966. B Company was initially dispatched to clear the area to the east of the Task Force base.

D Company took over from B Company on 18 August 1966. D Company made contact with the enemy force of regimental size and were soon under attack from three sides. The battle was fought into the night under a blanket of mist and heavy monsoonal rain, but D Company held its ground with heroism and grim determination.

The remainder of the Battalion deployed to aid the beleaguered Company. With the help of armoured personnel carriers of 3 Troop, 1st APC Squadron they hit the flank of a battalion size force which was forming up to assault the rear of D Company, inflicted many casualties and forced the enemy from the battlefield.

A Presidential Unit Citation was awarded to D Company by then President of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson.

18 August is now commemorated each year as Long Tan Day, in memory of the eighteen soldiers who gave their lives in battle.

$0.02

acav out

Sorry for the late post I've been overwhelmed at school!



For the Marine Corps they normally seem to be awarded for battalion size formations however, it is not uncommon for regiments and especially MEU's (Marine Expiditionary Units) to get them. The "Puck" as we called it also comes with a streamer for the colors of whatever unit recieves it and was a pretty big deal to get.

Prior to 9/11 it was more of a big deal as it meant the unit had been put into some kind of danger which was quite impressive in a "peacetime" force.

The 3rd Infantry Division and the Marine 1st infantry division got one for OIF 1. I'm not totally sure on the criteria but I know it is the unit's equivalant to a single soldier recieving the bronze star. I would go to www.military.com and look it up. You will find all kinds of cool stuff on there.

I know that the Award is almost impossible to get while in the Air Force. I have through some pretty dangerous stuff in my 12 years and nothing. I did Get the Presidential Unit Citation From the Phillipines though.... It has only been awarded 4 times, since WWII


Herky