- Established
- 1919
- Awarded by
- Navy, Marine Corps (and Coast Guard when under the Navy)
- Criteria
- Extraordinary heroism in combat against an enemy, not justifying the Medal of Honor.
- Precedence
- #3 of 18 in this guide · below Distinguished Service Cross · above Air Force Cross
Established in 1919, the Navy Cross originally could recognize both combat heroism and distinguished non-combat service. Since 1942 it has been reserved for combat valor and ranks directly below the Medal of Honor for sailors and Marines.
From Wikipedia
The Navy Cross is the United States naval services' second-highest military decoration awarded for sailors and marines who distinguish themselves for extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force. The medal is equivalent to the Distinguished Service Cross of the United States Army, the Air Force Cross of the United States Air Force and Space Force, and the Coast Guard Cross of the United States Coast Guard; collectively, these awards are known as the "service crosses".
Excerpt from “Navy Cross” on Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Notable recipients
- Richard E. Byrd Medal of Honor too1888–1957 · World War I
- Jim Webb1946 · Vietnam War
- Ernest King1878–1956 · World War I
- William Halsey Jr.1882–1959 · World War I
- Raymond A. Spruance1886–1969 · World War I
- William D. Leahy1875–1959 · World War I
- Frank Jack Fletcher Medal of Honor too1885–1973 · World War I
- Alexander Vandegrift Medal of Honor too1887–1973 · World War II
- Joseph P. Kennedy Jr.1915–1944 · World War II
- Doris Miller1919–1943 · World War II
- Marc Mitscher1887–1947 · World War I
- Arleigh Burke1901–1996 · World War II
- Chesty Puller1898–1971 · World War II
- Willis Augustus Lee1888–1945 · World War I
- John Basilone Medal of Honor too1916–1945 · World War II
Images: medal (Public domain, This image includes elements that have been taken or adapted from this file:); ribbon (Public domain), via Wikimedia Commons.
