- Established
- 2010
- Awarded by
- Coast Guard
- Criteria
- Extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy while serving with the Coast Guard, not justifying the Medal of Honor.
- Precedence
- #5 of 18 in this guide · below Air Force Cross · above Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Created by the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010, it gives the Coast Guard its own second-highest valor award, equivalent to the Navy Cross.
From Wikipedia
The Coast Guard Cross (CGC) is the United States Coast Guard's second highest military decoration for coast guardsmen who distinguish themselves extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force. Established by Act of Congress on 15 October 2010, it is intended to recognize members of the United States Coast Guard for extraordinary heroism in action. Coast Guardsmen serving under the Department of the Navy are eligible to receive the Navy Cross. The Coast Guard Cross, though approved, has not yet been awarded.
Excerpt from “Coast Guard Cross” on Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Images: medal (Public domain, en:The Institute of Heraldry); ribbon (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons.
