Presidential Unit Citation

Unit awardPUC

For units displaying extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy.

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How you get it

You can't apply for this one yourself. Your unit has to have received it, and you have to have been assigned or attached to the unit and present for duty during the cited period.

You qualify if any of these apply

Assigned or permanently attached to, and present for duty with, a unit awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for the period of the action

Quick facts

Category: Unit awards
Type: Unit award
Authorized devices: Oak Leaf Cluster
WAPS points: 0
Position in the AFPC listing: 21 of 91 (listed in order of precedence)

Full AFPC fact sheet text

Background

Executive Order 9075 on Feb. 26, 1942, created this award and was superseded by Executive Order 9396 on Dec. 2, 1943, which authorized the Distinguished Unit Citation, and this executive order was superseded by Executive Order 10694, on Jan. 10, 1957 which re-designated the Distinguished Unit Citation as the Presidential Unit Citation.

Criteria

It is conferred on units of the armed forces of the United States and of cobelligerent nations, for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy on or after Dec. 7, 1941.

The unit must display such gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission as to set it apart from and above other units participating in the same campaign. The degree of heroism required is the same that which would warrant award of the Distinguished Service Cross to an individual.

An individual assigned or permanently attached to, and also present for duty with, a unit in the action for which the Presidential Unit Citation is awarded may wear the emblem as a permanent part of their uniform.

Authorized devices

Oak Leaf Cluster

Source: Presidential Unit Citation fact sheet, Air Force's Personnel Center