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
- 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)
India
- Chief of Air Staff's citation - for Indian Air Force units
- President's Colour Award - the award of Military colours, standards and guidons to Indian Armed Forces units
Luxembourg
- Luxembourg War Cross (also an individual award)
Netherlands
- Military William Order (also an individual award)
Philippines
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Portugal
- War Cross (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)
Ukraine
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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 | 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){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, state defense forces, and auxiliaries like the Civil Air Patrol and Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Sources and references
- Nouveau Petit Larousse Illustré, 1951 (in French)