Coast Guard Unit Commendation

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Coast Guard Unit Commendation
Awarded by United States Coast Guard
Type	Ribbon
Eligibility	Non-combatant Military Unit
Awarded for	"[V]alorous or extremely meritorious service, not involving combat, but in support of Coast Guard operations."
Status	Currently awarded
Statistics
First awarded	1963
Last awarded	On going
Precedence
Next (higher)	Presidential Unit Citation (US)
Same	DoD - Joint Meritorious Unit Award Army - Valorous Unit Award Navy - Navy Unit Commendation Air Force Gallant Unit Citation
Next (lower)	Meritorious Unit Commendation

The Coast Guard Unit Commendation is the highest peacetime unit award which may be awarded to military commands of the United States Coast Guard. The decoration was first created in 1963 and is presented to members of any Coast Guard unit which distinguishes itself by valorous or extremely meritorious service, not involving combat, but in support of Coast Guard operations.

Additional awards of the Coast Guard Unit Commendation are denoted by award stars. The Operational Distinguishing Device is also authorized for units which are presented the decoration for field operations and conditions.

Prior to 2003, the Coast Guard Unit Commendation was subordinate to the Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award. With the transfer of the Coast Guard to the Department of Homeland Security, the Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award became obsolete, making the Coast Guard Unit Commendation the senior peacetime award, ranking under the Joint Meritorious Unit Award and, in times of war, the Presidential Unit Citation (US).

See also: Awards and decorations of the United States military