Navy Cross
The Navy Cross was created by an Act of Congress in February of 1919, and is the equivalent of the Army’s Distinguished Service Cross, and the Air Force’s Air Force Cross. These US military medals are the second highest award issued by the US Navy and they are presented to Navy personnel who, while serving in any capacity with the Navy, distinguish themselves by extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a Medal of Honor; while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing/foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing Armed Force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. These medals of America are awarded only when the act or acts of heroism have been so notable and have involved risk of life so extraordinary as to set these individuals apart from their comrades.
The Navy Cross may be awarded to any member of the armed forces while serving with the Marine Corps, Navy, or Coast Guard, but in time of war only. To earn these military ribbons and medals, the act to be commended must be performed in the presence of great danger or at great personal risk and must be performed in such a manner as to render the individual highly conspicuous among others of equal grade, rate, experience, or position of responsibility. An accumulation of minor acts of heroism does not justify presentation of one of these military medals.
The Navy Cross is the highest medal that can be awarded by the US Department of the Navy, and the second highest award given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, but it could be awarded to all branches of United States military as well as members of foreign militaries under certain circumstances. The Navy Cross was instituted in part due to the entrance of the United States into World War I. Originally, the Navy Cross was lower in precedence than the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, because it was awarded for both combat heroism and for "other distinguished service." Congress revised this on 7 August 1942, making the Navy Cross a combat-only award and second only to the Medal of Honor. Since its creation, it has been awarded more than 6,300 times.
Navy regulations provide for a 10% increase in retired pay for enlisted personnel who have retired with more than 20 years of service if they have been awarded the Navy Cross. These military medals are worn below the Medal of Honor, and above the Distinguished Service Medals of all branches in the general order of precedence established for the proper display of all US military ribbons and medals. Multiple awards are denoted by Gold Award Stars. These military awards are generally available as traditional full size military medals and mini medals, military ribbons and lapel pins. They are available as traditional full size military medals or mini-medals, and slide-on military ribbons, or the newer thin mini-medals, and ultra thin military ribbons that have become so very popular among up and coming military personnel who know how important it is to their career advancement to always maximize the neatness and smartness of their uniform appearance.