Navy Cross facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Navy Cross |
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| Presented by | United States Department of the Navy |
The Navy Cross is a very important military award. It is the second-highest honor given by the United States Naval Service. This special medal is for brave sailors and marines. They receive it for showing amazing heroism in battles against an enemy.
The Navy Cross is like other top awards in the U.S. military. It is similar to the Army's Distinguished Service Cross. It is also like the Air and Space Forces' Air Force Cross. The Coast Guard Cross is another similar award.
The Secretary of the Navy gives out the Navy Cross. It can also be given to members of other military branches. Sometimes, foreign military members who serve with the U.S. Navy can also receive it. The Navy Cross was officially created by a law on February 4, 1919.
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The Navy Cross was created because of World War I. Many countries in Europe had awards for heroes from other nations. At that time, the Medal of Honor was the only U.S. award for bravery.
In 1918, the Army started giving out the Distinguished Service Cross. The Navy followed in 1919 with the Navy Cross. At first, the Navy Cross was given for both combat bravery and other important service.
However, in 1942, Congress changed the rules. The Navy Cross then became an award only for heroism in combat. It also became the second-highest award, right after the Medal of Honor. Since it was created, the Navy Cross has been awarded over 6,300 times.
The famous sculptor James Earle Fraser designed the medal. Since the 11 September 2001 attacks, the Navy Cross has been awarded 47 times. Two of these awards were kept secret.
The Navy Cross can be given to any U.S. military member. This includes those serving with the Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard. They must show amazing heroism in battle. This bravery must be so great that it almost earns the Medal of Honor.
The brave action must happen in one of these three ways:
- During a fight against an enemy of the United States.
- During military operations that involve conflict with an opposing foreign force.
- While serving with friendly foreign forces in a conflict where the U.S. is not directly involved.
The act of heroism must be done in great danger. It must also involve a lot of personal risk. The action should stand out among others of the same rank or experience. Small acts of bravery added together do not qualify for the Navy Cross.
Before 1942, the Navy Cross could be given for non-combat actions. But after August 7, 1942, it was only for combat heroism. Awards given before this change, like to Fleet Admiral Ernest King, were not affected.
The Navy Cross was originally the third-highest Navy award. It was after the Medal of Honor and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal. On August 7, 1942, Congress changed its rank. The Navy Cross moved up to be the second-highest award.
Today, the Navy Cross is worn after the Medal of Honor. It is worn before all other military awards. If someone receives the Navy Cross more than once, special stars are added. These stars are placed on the medal's ribbon.
A gold star is given for the second through fifth awards. A silver star replaces gold stars for a sixth award. So far, no one has received more than five Navy Cross awards.
The Navy Cross has a special design.
- Medal
The medal is a cross shape, about one and a half inches wide. The ends of its arms are rounded. There are four laurel leaves with berries between the arms of the cross.
On the front of the medal, there is a picture of a sailing ship. This ship is a caravel, a type of ship used long ago. The caravel was chosen because it represents naval service and sea traditions. The laurel leaves and berries symbolize achievement.
On the back of the medal, there are two crossed anchors. The letters "USN" (United States Navy) are also shown.
The earliest Navy Cross medals had a narrower white stripe. Some medals from 1941 to 1942 looked darker due to a special finish. The medal looks similar to the British Distinguished Service Cross.
- Service Ribbon
The ribbon for the Navy Cross is navy blue. It has a white stripe in the middle. The blue color stands for naval service. The white color represents selflessness and purity.
Many brave individuals have received the Navy Cross for their extraordinary heroism. These recipients come from various branches of the U.S. military and even from other countries.
- John Bradley
- Richard E. Byrd (also a Medal of Honor (MOH))
- Slade Cutter (four awards)
- Roy M. Davenport (five awards)
- Albert David (two awards and an MOH)
- Doris "Dorie" Miller (first African American recipient)
- Marcus Luttrell
- Edward "Butch" O'Hare (also an MOH)
- George L. Street III (also an MOH)
- James E. Williams, (also an MOH and two Silver Stars)
United States Marine Corps
- John Basilone (also a Medal of Honor (MOH))
- Gregory "Pappy" Boyington (also an MOH)
- Daniel Daly (also two MOHs)
- Ray Davis (also an MOH)
- Merritt A. Edson (two awards and an MOH)
- Herman H. Hanneken (two awards and an MOH)
- Bradley Kasal
- Lewis "Chesty" Puller, (five awards)
- Rafael Peralta
- John Ripley
- Alexander Vandegrift (also an MOH)
United States Army
United States Coast Guard
- Raymond Evans
- Elmer Fowler Stone
Non-U.S. recipients
- Nikolai Basistiy, Soviet Union (Soviet Navy, 1943)
- Harold Farncomb, Australia (Royal Australian Navy, 1945)
- Ronald Niel Stuart, United Kingdom (Royal Navy, 1927)
See also
In Spanish: Cruz de la Armada para niños
- Military awards and decorations
- Military awards of the United States Department of the Navy
- List of recipients of the Navy Cross in the Vietnam War
