The Navy Cross is the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps' second-highest

military decoration Military awards and decorations are distinctions given as a mark of honor for military heroism, meritorious or outstanding service or achievement. DoD Manual 1348.33, 2010, Vol. 3 A decoration is often a medal consisting of a ribbon and a med ...

awarded for sailors and marines who distinguish themselves for extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force. The medal is equivalent to the Army's Distinguished Service Cross, the Air Force and Space Force's Air Force Cross, and the Coast Guard Cross. The Navy Cross is bestowed by the

Secretary of the Navy The secretary of the Navy (or SECNAV) is a statutory officer () and the head (chief executive officer) of the Department of the Navy, a military department (component organization) within the United States Department of Defense. By law, the se ...

and may also be awarded to members of the other armed services, and to foreign military personnel while serving with the U.S. naval services. The Navy Cross was established by Act of Congress ( Public Law 65-253) and approved on February 4, 1919.

History

The Navy Cross was instituted in part due to the entrance of the United States into

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was List of wars and anthropogenic disasters by death toll, one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, ...

. Many European nations had the custom of decorating heroes from other nations, but the

Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor ...

was the sole U.S. award for valor at the time. The Army instituted the Distinguished Service Cross and

Distinguished Service Medal Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) is a high award of a nation. Examples include: *Distinguished Service Medal (Australia) (established 1991), awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force for distinguished leadership in action * Distinguishe ...

in 1918, while the Navy followed suit in 1919, retroactive to 6 April 1917. Originally, the Navy Cross was lower in precedence than the Medal of Honor and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, because it was awarded for both combat heroism and for "other distinguished service". Congress revised this on 7 August 1942, making the Navy Cross a combat-only decoration that follows the Medal of Honor in order of precedence. Since the medal was established, it has been awarded more than 6,300 times. It was designed by James Earle Fraser. Since the

11 September 2001 attacks The September 11 attacks, commonly known as 9/11, were four coordinated suicide terrorist attacks carried out by al-Qaeda against the United States on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. That morning, nineteen terrorists hijacked four commercia ...

the Navy Cross has been awarded 47 times, with two of them having the name of the recipient held in secret. One of those secret awardings was due to Marine Gunnery Sergeant Tate Jolly's actions during the

2012 Benghazi attack The 2012 Benghazi attack was a coordinated attack against two United States government facilities in Benghazi, Libya, by members of the Islamic militant group Ansar al-Sharia. On September 11, 2012, at 9:40 pm local time, members of Ansar al- ...

Criteria

The Navy Cross may be awarded to any member of the U.S. Armed Forces while serving with the Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard (when a part of the Department of the Navy) who distinguishes themselves in action by extraordinary heroism not justifying an award of the

. The action must take place under one of three circumstances: # In combat action while engaged against an enemy of the United States; or, # In combat action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or, # In combat action while serving with friendly foreign forces, who are engaged in armed conflict in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The act(s) to be commended must be performed in the presence of great danger, or at great personal risk, and must be performed in such a manner as to render the individual's action(s) highly conspicuous among others of equal grade, rate, experience, or position of responsibility. An accumulation of minor acts of heroism does not justify an award of the Navy Cross. As originally authorized, the Navy Cross could be awarded for distinguished non-combat acts, but legislation of 7 August 1942 limited the award to acts of combat heroism. Past Navy Cross awards for merit, such as to 9th Chief of Naval Operations Fleet Admiral

Ernest King Ernest Joseph King (23 November 1878 – 25 June 1956) was an American naval officer who served as Commander in Chief, United States Fleet (COMINCH) and Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) during World War II. As COMINCH-CNO, he directed the U ...

, were unaffected by the change in criteria.

Wear

The Navy Cross originally was the Navy's third-highest decoration, after the

and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal. On 7 August 1942, Congress revised the order of precedence, placing the Navy Cross above the Distinguished Service Medal in precedence. Since that time, the Navy Cross has been worn after the Medal of Honor and before all other awards. Additional awards of the Navy Cross are denoted by gold or silver inch stars affixed to the suspension and

service ribbon A medal ribbon, service ribbon or ribbon bar is a small ribbon, mounted on a small metal bar equipped with an attaching device, which is generally issued for wear in place of a medal when it is not appropriate to wear the actual medal. Each co ...

of the medal. A gold star would be issued for each of the second through fifth awards, to be replaced by a silver star which would indicate a sixth award. To date no one has received more than five awards.

Description and symbolism

; Medal Obverse: The medal is a modified

cross pattée A cross pattée, cross patty or cross paty, also known as a cross formy or cross formée (french: croix pattée, german: Tatzenkreuz), is a type of Christian cross with arms that are narrow at the centre, and often flared in a curve or straight ...

one and a half inches wide. The ends of its arms are rounded whereas a conventional cross patée has arms that are straight on the end. There are four laurel leaves with berries in each of the re-entrant arms of the cross. In the center of the cross, a sailing vessel is depicted on waves, sailing to the viewer's left. The vessel is a symbolic

caravel The caravel ( Portuguese: , ) is a small maneuverable sailing ship used in the 15th century by the Portuguese to explore along the West African coast and into the Atlantic Ocean. The lateen sails gave it speed and the capacity for sailing ...

of the type used between 1480 and 1500. Fraser selected the caravel because it was a symbol often used by the Naval Academy and because it represented both naval service and the tradition of the sea. The laurel leaves with berries refer to achievement. Reverse: In the center of the medal, a bronze cross pattée, one and a half inches wide, are crossed anchors from the pre-1850 period, with cables attached. The letters USN are evident amid the anchors. The earliest version of the Navy Cross (1919–1928) featured a more narrow strip of white, while the so-called "Black Widow" medals awarded from 1941 to 1942 were notable for the dark color due to over-

anodized Anodizing is an electrolytic passivation process used to increase the thickness of the natural oxide layer on the surface of metal parts. The process is called ''anodizing'' because the part to be treated forms the anode electrode of an elect ...

finish. The medal is similar in appearance to the British Distinguished Service Cross. ; Service Ribbon The

navy blue Navy blue is a very dark shade of the color blue. Navy blue got its name from the dark blue (contrasted with naval white) worn by officers in the Royal Navy since 1748 and subsequently adopted by other navies around the world. When this color n ...

with a center stripe of

white White is the lightness, lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully diffuse reflection, reflect and scattering, scatter all the ...

identical to the suspension ribbon of the medal. The blue alludes to naval service; the white represents the purity of selflessness.

Notable recipients

United States Navy

James Thomas Alexander James Thomas Alexander (August 25, 1888 – January 16, 1952) was a United States Navy captain who served as the 37th naval governor of Guam. He served as a commanding officer of ships during both World War I and World War II, receiving the Navy ...

, Captain, 37th

Naval Governor of Guam The governor of Guam ( ch, I Maga'låhen / ) is the head of government of Guam and the commander-in-chief of the Guam National Guard, whose responsibilities also include making the annual State of the Island (formerly the State of the Territo ...

Adelbert Althouse Adelbert Althouse (May 23, 1869 – May 17, 1954) was a United States Navy Captain who served as the 27th and 29th Naval Governor of Guam. Prior to his Governorship, he served on ships in the Navy and participated in both the Spanish–America ...

, 27th and 29th Naval Governor of Guam * Jackson D. Arnold *

Barry K. Atkins Rear Admiral Barry Kennedy Atkins (August 2, 1911 – November 15, 2005) was an officer of the United States Navy best known for his achievements as a destroyer captain in World War II. Atkins graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1 ...

* William B. Ault * Bernard L. Austin, Vice admiral (two awards) *

John Arnold Austin USS ''Austin'' (DE-15), was an of the United States Navy during World War II. The ship was named for Chief Carpenter John Arnold Austin (1905-1941) who was killed in action on board during the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japanese forces on 7 Dec ...

, namesake of * Matthew Axelson * Edward L. Beach Jr. *

Richard Halsey Best Richard Halsey Best (March 24, 1910 – October 28, 2001) was a dive bomber pilot and squadron commander in the United States Navy during World War II. Stationed on the aircraft carrier , Best led his dive bomber squadron at the 1942 Battle of M ...

Claude C. Bloch Claude Charles Bloch (July 12, 1878 – October 4, 1967) was a United States Navy admiral who served as Commander, Battle Force, U.S. Fleet (COMBATFOR) from 1937 to 1938; and Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet (CINCUS) from 1938 to 1940. Early yea ...

* John Bradley *

William F. Bringle Admiral William Floyd Bringle (April 23, 1913 – March 19, 1999) was a senior officer in the United States Navy. He was the first commanding officer of , commanded the United States Seventh Fleet from 1967 to 1970 during the Vietnam War, and as c ...

* Robert P. Briscoe * William H. Brockman Jr. Lieutenant Commander * Phil H. Bucklew (two awards) * John D. Bulkeley (plus MOH and 2 Army DSCs) * Arleigh A. Burke *

Richard E. Byrd Richard Evelyn Byrd Jr. (October 25, 1888 – March 11, 1957) was an American naval officer and explorer. He was a recipient of the Medal of Honor, the highest honor for valor given by the United States, and was a pioneering American aviator, p ...

(plus MOH) *

Robert Carney Robert Bostwick Carney (March 26, 1895 – June 25, 1990) was an admiral in the United States Navy who served as commander-in-chief of the NATO forces in Southern Europe (1951–1953) and then as Chief of Naval Operations (1953–1954) duri ...

Charles P. Cecil Charles Purcell Cecil (4 September 1893 31 July 1944) was a US Navy Admiral during World War II and two time recipient of the Navy Cross. Background Charles Purcell Cecil was born in Louisville, Kentucky, 4 September 1893. He graduated from t ...

(two awards), namesake of * Gordon Pai'ea Chung-Hoon * Bernard A. Clarey (three awards) * George Thomas Coker *

James J. Connell Lieutenant Commander James J. Connell (6 May 1939 – 14 January 1971) was an American naval aviator. Born in Wilmington, Delaware, Connell served in the United States Navy as a naval aviator. During the Vietnam War, Connell was shot down and ca ...

Richard L. Conolly Richard Lansing Conolly (April 26, 1892 – March 1, 1962) was a United States Navy admiral, who served during World War I and World War II. Early life Conolly was born in Waukegan, Illinois, attended Lake Forest Academy and was appointed to the ...

Walter W. Coolbaugh USS ''Coolbaugh'' (DE-217) was a in service with the United States Navy from 1943 to 1960. She was scrapped in 1973. Namesake ''Coolbaugh'' was named in honor of Lieutenant (junior grade) Walter Wesley Coolbaugh. He was born on 1 August 1914 ...

, namesake of * Ralph W. Cousins *

William P. Cronan William Pigott Cronan (March 6, 1879 – March 18, 1929) was a United States Navy Captain who served as the 19th Naval Governor of Guam. During his tenure in the Navy, he became decorated, commanded a number of ships, and came to be known a ...

, 19th Naval Governor of Guam * William Michael Crose, 7th

Governor of American Samoa This is a list of governors, etc. of the part of the Samoan Islands (now comprising American Samoa) under United States administration since 1900. From 1900 to 1978 governors were appointed by the Federal government of the United States. Since ...

Randy "Duke" Cunningham Randall Harold "Duke" Cunningham (born December 8, 1941) is a former American politician, decorated Vietnam War veteran, fighter ace, and ex-felon. Cunningham served as a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California' ...

* Winfield Scott Cunningham * Maurice E. Curts *

Slade Cutter Slade Deville Cutter (November 1, 1911 – June 9, 2005) was a career U.S. naval officer who was awarded four Navy Crosses and tied for second place for Japanese ships sunk in World War II. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy a ...

(four awards) *

Roy M. Davenport Rear Admiral Roy Milton Davenport (June 18, 1909 – December 24, 1987) was an officer in the United States Navy. He is the first sailor to be awarded five Navy Crosses, the United States military's second highest decoration for valor. Davenport wa ...

(5 awards, World War II) * Albert David (two awards, plus

MOH Moh ( Punjabi: ਮੋਹ ''mōha''; Sanskrit: ''muh'': is a word in Punjabi and Sanskrit. Definition “to become stupefied, to be bewildered or perplexed, to err, to be mistaken”. It stands in ancient texts for perplexity or confusion and ...

) * Arthur C. Davis, Admiral (three awards) *

Samuel David Dealey Samuel David Dealey (September 13, 1906 – August 24, 1944) was the commanding officer of a United States Navy submarine killed in action with his crew during World War II. Among American service members, he is among the most decorated for valo ...

(4 awards and Army DSC and

) *

James Charles Dempsey James Charles Dempsey (August 30, 1908 – July 9, 1979), was a decorated submarine commander during World War II who reached the rank of Rear Admiral in the United States Navy. He died, aged 70, on July 9, 1979, of congestive heart and kidney f ...

, Rear Admiral (2 awards) *

Dieter Dengler Dieter Dengler (May 22, 1938 – February 7, 2001) was a German-born United States Navy aviator during the Vietnam War and, following six months of imprisonment and torture, became the second captured U.S. airman to escape enemy captivity ...

Clarence E. Dickinson Clarence may refer to: Places Australia * Clarence County, New South Wales, a Cadastral division * Clarence, New South Wales, a place near Lithgow * Clarence River (New South Wales) * Clarence Strait (Northern Territory) * City of Clarence, a l ...

Lieutenant (three awards) *

Danny Dietz Danny Phillip Dietz Jr. (January 26, 1980 – June 28, 2005) was a Navy SEAL who was awarded the U.S. Navy's second highest decoration, the Navy Cross, along with the Purple Heart, for his actions during the War in Afghanistan (2001–present), W ...

* Glynn R. "Donc" Donaho (four awards) *

Mark L. Donald Mark L. Donald (born 1967) is a retired United States Navy SEALs, United States Navy SEAL, hospital corpsman, and physician assistant who served in the United States Navy. Donald is one of the few American warriors to have earned three high-leve ...

, Navy SEAL, medical officer * William P. Driscoll *

Thomas M. Dykers Thomas Michael Dykers, Sr. (December 3, 1905 – June 13, 1975) was a submarine commander during World War II who reached the rank of Rear Admiral in the United States Navy. He was also a writer and Television producer. He produced and narrated t ...

, Rear admiral (two awards) * Laurance T. DuBose, Admiral (three awards) *

Thomas Eadie Thomas Eadie (April 8, 1887 – November 14, 1974) was a United States Navy diver and a recipient of America's highest military decoration - the Medal of Honor. Biography Thomas Eadie was born on April 8, 1887, in Glasgow, Scotland. He enlis ...

Lieutenant (two awards and

) * Henry E. Eccles *

Richard S. Edwards Admiral Richard Stanislaus Edwards (18 February 1885 – 2 June 1956) served in the United States Navy during World War I and World War II. Biography Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Edwards was appointed to the United States Naval Academy ...

* Joseph F. Enright * Harry D. Felt * William Charles Fitzgerald namesake of * Eugene B. Fluckey (4 awards and

) * Luis Fonseca, hospital corpsman * James Shepherd Freeman *

Neldon Theo French USS ''French'' (DE-367) was a in service with the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946. She was scrapped in 1973. The ship was named in honor of Neldon Theo French who was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions during the Guadalcanal Campaign. ...

namesake of * Ignatius J. Galantin *

William Gilmer William Wirt Gilmer (May 21, 1863 – January 8, 1955) was a United States Navy Captain who served as both the 22nd and 24th Naval Governor of Guam. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, he commanded the USS ''South Carolina'' durin ...

, 22nd and 24th Naval Governor of Guam *

George William Grider George William Grider (October 1, 1912 – March 20, 1991) was a United States Navy Captain, an attorney, and a Democratic U.S. Representative from Tennessee from 1965 to 1967. Early life Grider was born in Memphis, Tennessee, son of John Mc ...

, Member of 89th Congress *

Robert Halperin Robert Sherman "Bob" Halperin (January 26, 1908 – May 8, 1985), nicknamed "Buck", was an American Star class sailor, and Olympic bronze medalist and Pan American Games gold medalist. He was also a college and National Football League (NFL) fo ...

* William Halsey, Jr., Fleet admiral, commanded Third Fleet 1943-1945 * Robert W. Hayler (three awards), namesake of *

Arthur Ray Hawkins Arthur Ray "Hawk" Hawkins (12 December 1922 – 21 March 2004) was an American naval aviator and flying ace of World War II. He was the United States Navy's tenth leading ace with 14 aerial victories to his credit. Early life Hawkins was born in ...

(three awards) *

Henry Kent Hewitt Henry Kent Hewitt (February 11, 1887 – September 15, 1972) was the United States Navy commander of amphibious operations in north Africa and southern Europe through World War II. He was born in Hackensack, New Jersey and graduated from the Unit ...

(two awards) *

Lenah H. Sutcliffe Higbee Lenah H. Sutcliffe Higbee (May 18, 1874 – January 10, 1941) was a pioneering Canadian-born United States Navy military nurse, who served as Superintendent of the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps during World War I. She is best known for being the first ...

(first female recipient), namesake of *

William A. Hodgman William Adams Hodgman (January 31, 1884 – February 9, 1967) was a United States Navy Captain (United States)#U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Public Health Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, captain and diplomat. He ...

, 23rd Naval Governor of Guam *

Gilbert C. Hoover Gilbert Corwin Hoover (July 25, 1894 – January 8, 1980) was a United States Naval officer from 1916 to 1947. He served in both world wars, was involved in the early stages of the development of the Atomic Bomb, and managed the Atomic Energy Co ...

, (3 awards) *

John Howard Hoover John Howard Hoover (May 15, 1887December 2, 1970) was a United States Navy admiral who held several flag commands during World War II most notably those in the Central Pacific under Chester W. Nimitz. Hoover became one of Nimitz's trusted if l ...

* Frederick J. Horne *

John Howard John Winston Howard (born 26 July 1939) is an Australian former politician who served as the 25th prime minister of Australia from 1996 to 2007, holding office as leader of the Liberal Party. His eleven-year tenure as prime minister is the ...

Royal E. Ingersoll Royal Eason Ingersoll (20 June 1883 – 20 May 1976) was a United States Navy four-star admiral who served as Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (CINCLANT) from January 1, 1942 to late 1944; Commander, Western Sea Frontier from late 1944 to 19 ...

Jonas H. Ingram Admiral Jonas Howard Ingram (October 15, 1886 – September 9, 1952) was an officer in the United States Navy during World War I and World War II. He commanded the United States Atlantic Fleet during World War II and was a recipient of the Medal ...

(MOH) * Richard H. Jackson *

Edward C. Kalbfus Edward Clifford Kalbfus (November 24, 1877 – September 6, 1954), nicknamed "Old Dutch", was a four-star admiral in the United States Navy who was commander of the Battle Force of the United States Fleet from 1938 to 1939 and President of the ...

Draper Kauffman Rear Admiral Draper Laurence Kauffman (4 August 1911 – 18 August 1979) was an American underwater demolition expert, who served during the 1960s as 44th Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy. During World War II, he organized the fi ...

(two awards) * Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. *

Ernest J. King Ernest Joseph King (23 November 1878 – 25 June 1956) was an American naval officer who served as Commander in Chief, United States Fleet (COMINCH) and Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) during World War II. As COMINCH-CNO, he directed the U ...

, Fleet admiral, 9th Chief of Naval Operations *

Thomas B. Klakring Thomas Burton Klakring (December 19, 1904 – July 24, 1975) was a United States Navy submarine commander during World War II. Life and career T. B. Klakring, the only child of Colonel and Mrs. Leslie Klakring, was born in Annapolis, Maryland ...

(three awards) * Norman Jack "Dusty" Kleiss (1942, Divebomber pilot) *

Hugo W. Koehler Hugo William Koehler (July 19, 1886 – June 17, 1941) () was a United States Navy commander, Espionage, secret agent and socialite. Following the First World War, he served as an Office of Naval Intelligence and State Department operative in Rus ...

Edmond Konrad Edmond G. Konrad (March 6, 1909 – March 5, 1997) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy. Konrad was a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Class of 1932. While a Commander serving aboard the carrier during World War II, Konrad ...

(two awards) *

George Landenberger George Bertram Landenberger (May 12, 1879 – January 15, 1936) was a United States Navy Captain and the 23rd (and 21st unique) Governor of American Samoa, from May 12, 1932 to April 10, 1934. Landenberger commanded many ships during his naval car ...

, 23rd Governor of American Samoa *

John H. Lang John Henry Lang (1899–1970) was an American who served with the Canadian Army in World War I and then with the United States Navy through World War II and the end of his career. He earned military awards and honors for heroic service from the U ...

Harris Laning Harris Laning (October 18, 1873 – February 2, 1941) was a prominent officer in the United States Navy who eventually rose to the rank of Admiral. He was the uncle of Caleb Barrett Laning, who also achieved that rank. Naval career Laning gradua ...

William D. Leahy William Daniel Leahy () (May 6, 1875 – July 20, 1959) was an American naval officer who served as the most senior United States military officer on active duty during World War II. He held multiple titles and was at the center of all major ...

(Fleet Admiral) *

Gatewood Lincoln Gatewood Sanders Lincoln (August 5, 1875 – October 15, 1957) was a United States Navy officer who served as the governor of American Samoa. With Nathan Woodworth Post, Lincoln was one of only two American Samoan governors to serve non-consecutiv ...

, 22nd Governor of American Samoa * Elliott Loughlin (two awards) *

Marcus Luttrell Marcus Luttrell (born November 7, 1975) is a retired United States Navy SEAL who received the Navy Cross and Purple Heart for his actions in June 2005 against Taliban fighters during Operation Red Wings in which he was the lone survivor. Luttrell ...

Harold John Mack USS ''Mack'' (DE-358) was a in service with the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946. She was scrapped in 1973. Namesake Harold John Mack was born on 29 December 1917 in LeMars, Iowa. He enlisted in the United States Navy on 18 May 1938. He rep ...

* John S. McCain Sr. * David McCampbell (plus

) * Benjamin McCandlish, Commodore, 36th Naval Governor of Guam. *

Pete McCloskey Paul Norton McCloskey Jr. (born September 29, 1927) is an American politician who represented San Mateo County, California as a Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1967 to 1983. Born in Loma Linda, California, McCloskey pursued ...

* John McCloy (also two awards of the Medal of Honor) *

C. Wade McClusky Rear admiral (United States), Rear Admiral Clarence Wade McClusky, Jr., (June 1, 1902 – June 27, 1976) was a United States Navy aviator during World War II and the early Cold War period. He is credited with having played a major part in the Batt ...

* Donald L. McFaul *

Charles H. McMorris Charles Horatio "Soc" McMorris (August 31, 1890 – February 11, 1954) was an American rear admiral during World War II, most notably commanding forces at the Battle of the Komandorski Islands during the Aleutian Islands Campaign. Early life and ...

; Vice Admiral; Chief of Staff Pacific Fleet (1943-1945); namesake of

USS McMorris USS ''McMorris'' (DE-1036) was a in service with the United States Navy from 1960 to 1974. It was then sold to Indonesia and served as ''Ngurah Rai'' until 2003. United States Navy USS ''McMorris'' (DE-1036) was named after Vice Admiral Cha ...

(DE-1036) *

Luke McNamee Luke McNamee (April 4, 1871 – December 30, 1952) was a United States Navy Admiral, businessman, and the 10th and 12th Naval Governor of Guam. He served in the Navy for 42 years, during which time he held multiple commands. During the Spanish– ...

, Admiral, 10th and 12th Naval Governor of Guam, and 21st

Director of the Office of Naval Intelligence The Director of Naval Intelligence (DNI) serves as the head of Naval intelligence on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations. The Director of Naval Intelligence also serves as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare (N2/N6) o ...

. * Doris "Dorie" Miller (first African American recipient) *

Marc Mitscher Marc Andrew "Pete" Mitscher (January 26, 1887 – February 3, 1947) was a pioneer in naval aviation who became an admiral in the United States Navy, and served as commander of the Fast Carrier Task Force in the Pacific during the latter half of ...

(three awards) * John Anderson Moore (three awards) * Dudley W. "Mush" Morton (four awards) *

Jesse W. Naul Jr. Jesse may refer to: People and fictional characters * Jesse (biblical figure), father of David in the Bible. * Jesse (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters * Jesse (surname), a list of people Music * ''Jesse'' (a ...

(plus two DFC & 4 AM) * Louis McCoy Nulton * Edward "Butch" O'Hare (plus

) * Richard H. "Dick" O'Kane (three awards, plus

) * Chick Parsons (two awards) * Edwin Taylor Pollock * John Martin Poyer, 12th Governor of American Samoa * Lawson P. Ramage (two awards plus MOH) *

DeWitt Clinton Ramsey Admiral DeWitt Clinton Ramsey (2 October 1888 – 7 September 1961) was a U.S. Navy officer and pioneer naval aviator who served as an aircraft carrier commander during World War II. His postwar assignments included command of the U.S. Paci ...

Joseph M. Reeves Joseph Mason "Bull" Reeves (November 20, 1872 – March 25, 1948) was an admiral in the United States Navy and an early and important supporter of U.S. Naval Aviation. Though a battleship officer during his early career, he became known as the ...

* George S. Rentz, Chaplain, namesake of USS Rentz (FFG-46) * Frederick Lois Riefkohl *

Samuel B. Roberts __NOTOC__ Samuel Booker Roberts Jr. (12 May 1921 – 27 September 1942) was a U.S. Navy coxswain who was killed in the Battle of Guadalcanal, and became the namesake of three U.S. Navy warships. Roberts was born in San Francisco, California, o ...

* Samuel Robison * Dean Rockwell *

Maurice H. Rindskopf Maurice Herbert Rindskopf (1917–2011) was the youngest officer to ascend to command of a Fleet Submarine in World War II; and until his death, was the last living World War II submarine commander. His entire World War II submarine career was spe ...

Tony F. Schneider Tony F. Schneider (November 11, 1917 – October 16, 2010) was an American World War II pilot who taught at University of Louisville and was appointed the Holloway Plan Professor of Naval Science at the University of New Mexico. Bombing Squa ...

(two awards)''University of New Mexico NROTC Sun Line'' Vol.IV No.1 November 1965 *

Frank Herman Schofield Frank Herman Schofield (January 4, 1869 – February 20, 1942) was a decorated admiral in the United States Navy, where he served with distinction in the Spanish–American War and World War I. He was also acting governor of Guam from January 1 ...

David F. Sellers David F. Sellers (February 4, 1874 – January 27, 1949) was an Admiral (United States), admiral in the United States Navy. He was the first person from New Mexico to graduate from the United States Naval Academy. Biography David Foote Sellers w ...

Benedict J. Semmes, Jr. Benedict Joseph Semmes Jr. (8 April 1913 – 4 June 1994) was a Vice Admiral (United States), vice admiral of the United States Navy. His career included service in World War II and the Cold War, command of destroyers, a lengthy tour as Chief of ...

, Vice Admiral * Forrest P. Sherman * Rodger W. Simpson (two awards) *

Harold Page Smith Admiral (United States), Admiral Harold Page Smith (February 17, 1904 – January 4, 1993) was a United States Navy Admiral (United States), four-star admiral who served as Commander in Chief, United States Naval Forces Europe – Naval Forces Afr ...

* Charles P. Snyder *

Raymond A. Spruance Raymond Ames Spruance (July 3, 1886 – December 13, 1969) was a United States Navy admiral during World War II. He commanded U.S. naval forces during one of the most significant naval battles that took place in the Pacific Theatre: the Battle ...

David S. Stear David (; , "beloved one") (traditional spelling), , ''Dāwūd''; grc-koi, Δαυΐδ, Dauíd; la, Davidus, David; gez , ዳዊት, ''Dawit''; xcl, Դաւիթ, ''Dawitʿ''; cu, Давíдъ, ''Davidŭ''; possibly meaning "beloved one". w ...

* Giles C. Stedman *

George L. Street, III George Levick Street III (July 27, 1913 – February 26, 2000) was a submariner in the United States Navy. He received the Medal of Honor during World War II. Early life and career Street was born in Richmond, Virginia. He joined the Naval Rese ...

(plus

) *

Felix Stump Felix Budwell Stump (December 15, 1894 – June 13, 1972) was an admiral in the United States Navy and Commander, United States Pacific Fleet from July 10, 1953 until July 31, 1958. Early life and career Stump was born in Parkersburg, West Virgini ...

(two awards) *

John Thach John Smith Thach (April 19, 1905 – April 15, 1981) was a World War II Naval Aviator, air combat tactician, and United States Navy admiral. Thach developed the Thach Weave, a combat flight formation which could counter enemy fighters of superi ...

(two awards) * Robert J. Thomas *

John H. Towers John Henry Towers CBE (January 30, 1885 – April 30, 1955) was a highly decorated United States Navy four-star Admiral and pioneer naval aviator. He made important contributions to the technical and organizational development of naval aviation ...

* Charles R. Train *

Richmond K. Turner Admiral (United States), Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner (May 27, 1885 – February 12, 1961), commonly known as Admiral Kelly Turner, served in the United States Navy during World War II, and is best known for commanding the Amphibious Force, Pa ...

* Frank B. Upham * Stanley W. Vejtasa, U.S. Navy ace (three awards) *

Corydon M. Wassell Corydon McAlmont Wassell (July 4, 1884 – May 12, 1958) was a medical doctor best known for his work as a United States Navy physician. He was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. Wassell graduated with an M.D. from the University of Arkansas in 1909 ...

Ivan Wettengel Ivan Cyrus Wettengel (1876 – February 19, 1935) was a United States Navy Captain who served as the 25th Naval Governor of Guam. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Wettengel commanded a number of ships. He received the Navy Cross ...

, 25th Naval Governor of Guam * James E. Williams, plus

and 2

Silver Star The Silver Star Medal (SSM) is the United States Armed Forces' third-highest military decoration for valor in combat. The Silver Star Medal is awarded primarily to members of the United States Armed Forces for gallantry in action against an ...

s * Adam Williams (actor, awarded as Adam William Berg) *

Harry E. Yarnell Admiral Harry Ervin Yarnell (18 October 1875 – 7 July 1959) was an American naval officer whose career spanned over 51 years and three wars, from the Spanish–American War through World War II. Among his achievements was proving, in 1932 war ga ...

United States Marine Corps

* Robert H. Barrow (plus an Army DSC) *

John Basilone John Basilone (November 4, 1916 – February 19, 1945) was a United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant who received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Battle for Henderson Field in the Guadalcanal campaign, and the Navy Cross posthumou ...

(plus

) *

Victor Bleasdale Victor France Bleasdale (December 2, 1895 – February 10, 1984) was a brigadier general in the United States Marine Corps. He was awarded the Navy Cross and Distinguished Service Cross for his actions during the Battle of Blanc Mont Ridge in W ...

(two awards plus an Army DSC) * John F. Bolt *

Gregory "Pappy" Boyington Gregory "Pappy" Boyington (December 4, 1912 – January 11, 1988) was an American combat pilot who was a United States Marine Corps fighter ace during World War II. He received the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross. A Marine aviator with t ...

(plus

) * Martin Brandtner (two awards) *

James Carson Breckinridge James Carson Breckinridge (September 13, 1877 – March 2, 1942) was a Lieutenant general (United States), lieutenant general of the United States Marine Corps. He was the son of Clifton Rhodes Breckinridge and grandson of Vice President and Conf ...

Marion Eugene Carl Major General Marion Eugene Carl (November 1, 1915 – June 28, 1998) was an American military officer, World War II fighter ace, record-setting test pilot, and naval aviator. He was the United States Marine Corps' first ace in World War II. Ear ...

(two awards) *

Evans Carlson Evans Fordyce Carlson (February 26, 1896 – May 27, 1947) was a decorated and retired United States Marine Corps general officer who was the legendary leader of "Carlson's Raiders" during World War II. Many credit Carlson with developing the ta ...

(three awards) * Clifton B. Cates (plus two awards Army DSC) *

Brian Chontosh Major Brian R. Chontosh (born 1974 in Rochester, New York) is a retired United States Marine Corps officer who was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroic actions during the 2003 Invasion of Iraq. At the time, he was a platoon commander for Weapons C ...

* George R. Christmas * Julius Cogswell (plus Army DSC) * Alfred A. Cunningham *

William H. Dabney William Howard Dabney (September 28, 1934 – February 15, 2012) was a colonel in the United States Marine Corps. He was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism in the Vietnam War. He also served as the Commandant of Cadets at Virginia M ...

* Joseph W. Dailey * Daniel Daly (plus two awards

, and an Army DSC) * Ray Davis (plus

) *

James Devereux James Patrick Sinnott Devereux (February 20, 1903 – August 5, 1988) was a United States Marine Corps general, Navy Cross recipient, and Republican congressman. He was the officer-in-charge (OIC) of the 1st Defense Battalion Detachment duri ...

William A. Eddy William Alfred Eddy, Ph.D., Col., USMC (March 9, 1896 – May 3, 1962) was a U.S. minister to Saudi Arabia (1944–1946); university professor and college president (1936–1942); U.S. Marine Corps officer, serving in World War I and World War ...

* Merritt A. Edson (two awards plus

) *

Raymond Frybarger, Jr. USS ''Frybarger'' (DE/DEC-705) was a in service with the United States Navy from 1944 to 1947 and from 1950 to 1957. She was scrapped in 1973. History ''Frybarger'' was launched on 25 January 1944 at the Defoe Shipbuilding Company, in Bay C ...

Namesake of the *

Guy Gabaldon Guy Louis Gabaldon (March 22, 1926 – August 31, 2006) was a United States Marine who, at age 18, captured or persuaded to surrender over 1,300 Japanese soldiers and civilians during the battles for Saipan and Tinian islands in 1944 during World ...

Roy Geiger General Roy Stanley Geiger (January 25, 1885 – January 23, 1947) was a United States Marine Corps four-star general who served in World War I and World War II. In World War II, he became the first Marine Corps general to lead a field army. Gei ...

(two awards) *

Herman H. Hanneken Herman Henry Hanneken (June 23, 1893 – August 23, 1986) was a United States Marine Corps officer and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor. Beginning his career as an enlisted man, Hanneken served in the B ...

(two awards plus

) * Robert M. Hanson (plus

* Myron Harrington, Jr. * Leo D. Hermle (plus an Army DSC) *

Thomas Holcomb General Thomas Holcomb (August 5, 1879 – May 24, 1965) was a United States Marine Corps officer who served as the seventeenth Commandant of the Marine Corps from 1936 to 1943. He was the first Marine to achieve the rank of general, and was a ...

* Edward Buist Hope (plus Army DSC) * Henry L. Hulbert (plus

, and an Army DSC) * Bradley Kasal *

Treddy Ketcham William Tredwell "Treddy" Ketcham, Jr. (August 6, 1919 – July 18, 2006) was a United States Marine Corps officer in World War II and a sports director in tennis and squash afterwards. Life At the beginning of 1945, he commanded the 1st Comp ...

Victor H. Krulak Victor Harold Krulak (January 7, 1913 – December 29, 2008) was a decorated United States Marine Corps officer who saw action in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Krulak, considered a visionary by fellow Marines, was the author of ''First to ...

Henry Louis Larsen Lieutenant General Henry Louis Larsen (December 10, 1890 – October 2, 1962) was a United States Marine Corps officer, the second Military Governor of Guam following its recapture from the Empire of Japan, and the first post-World War II Govern ...

(two awards) *

Kurt Chew-Een Lee Kurt Chew-Een Lee ( (January 21, 1926 – March 3, 2014) was the first Asian American to be commissioned as a regular officer in the United States Marine Corps. Lee earned the Navy Cross under fire in Korea in September 1950, serving in the 1st B ...

* Justin LeHew * William K. MacNulty *

Victor Maghakian Captain Victor "Transport" Maghakian ( hy, Վիգդոր Մաղաքեան; December 30, 1915 – August 17, 1977) was an Armenian-American member of the United States Marine Corps during World War II. As a gunnery sergeant, he led his platoon thro ...

* William Edward Campbell March *

Karl Marlantes Karl Arthur Marlantes (born December 24, 1944) is an American author and Vietnam War veteran. He has written three books: '' Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War'' (2010), ''What it is Like to go to War'' (2011), and ''Deep River' ...

John McNulty (U.S. Marine Corps) Maj. John McNulty of Revere, Massachusetts (fl. c. 1918), American Expeditionary Forces, was a U.S. Marine Corps World War I war hero. For his service in that conflict, then, 1st Sgt. McNulty was awarded the Navy Cross (for "Extraordinary heroism ...

(plus an Army DSC) * Raymond Murray (two awards plus an Army DSC) *

Peter J. Ortiz Pierre (Peter) Julien Ortiz OBE (July 5, 1913 – May 16, 1988) was a United States Marine Corps colonel who received two Navy Crosses for extraordinary heroism as a major in World War II. He served in North Africa and Europe during the war, as a ...

(two awards) * Rafael Peralta * Edwin A. Pollock * Lewis "Chesty" Puller, US Marine Corps (5 awards and Army DSC) *

Paul A. Putnam Brigadier General Paul Albert Putnam, USMC (June 16, 1903 – May 21, 1982) commanded Marine Corps Fighter Squadron VMF-211 during the defense of Wake Island in December 1941. He was awarded the Navy Cross for heroism during the defense of Wake ...

* John H. Quick (plus

, and an Army DSC) * Kenneth L. Reusser (two awards) *

John Ripley John Ripley VC (20 August 1867 – 14 August 1933) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to members of British and Commonweal ...

* Harold C. Roberts (three awards) *

Ford O. Rogers Ford Ovid Rogers (March 23, 1894 – September 12, 1972) was a highly decorated naval aviator, who served with the United States Marine Corps, retiring with the rank of major general. He was decorated with the Navy Cross for his World War I servi ...

James Roosevelt James Roosevelt II (December 23, 1907 – August 13, 1991) was an American businessman, Marine, activist, and Democratic Party politician. The eldest son of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt, he served as an official Secret ...

* William H. Rupertus *

John H. Russell, Jr. John Henry Russell Jr. (November 14, 1872 – March 6, 1947) was a major general and 16th Commandant of the Marine Corps. His only child was Brooke Astor, a noted philanthropist, who lived to be 105. Early life Russell was born on November ...

Al Schmid Albert Andrew Schmid (20 October 1920 – 1 December 1982) was a United States Marine awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism at the Battle of the Tenaru (Ilu River) during the Guadalcanal campaign in World War II. Credited with killing over 20 ...

* Harry Schmidt * Harold G. Schrier (flag raiser on Iwo Jima) * Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. (plus an Army DSC) *

Robert Taplett Robert Donald Taplett (December 10, 1918 – December 17, 2004) was a highly decorated United States Marine who was most notable for commanding 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War for which he w ...

Alexander Vandegrift General Alexander Archer Vandegrift, USMC (March 13, 1887 – May 8, 1973) was a United States Marine Corps four-star general. During World War II, he commanded the 1st Marine Division to victory in its first ground offensive of the war, the B ...

(plus

) *

Lew Walt Lewis William Walt (February 16, 1913 – March 26, 1989) was a United States Marine Corps four-star general who served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Walt was decorated several times, including two Navy Crosses f ...

(two awards) *

Jim Webb James Henry Webb Jr. (born February 9, 1946) is an American politician and author. He has served as a United States senator from Virginia, Secretary of the Navy, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, Counsel for the United Stat ...

* John H. Yancey (two awards) * George Yarborough (namesake of ) * Jeremiah Workman

United States Army

Stephen J. Chamberlin Stephen Jones Chamberlin (23 December 1889 – 23 October 1971) was a lieutenant general in the United States Army who served during World War II as General of the Army Douglas MacArthur's Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, the staff officer in ch ...

Rex T. Barber Colonel Rex T. Barber (May 6, 1917 – July 26, 2001) was a World War II fighter pilot from the United States. He is best known as a member of the top secret mission to intercept the aircraft carrying Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto in April ...

* Thomas George Lanphier, Jr. *

John W. Mitchell John William Mitchell, MBE (14 June 1917 – 21 November 2005) was a British sound engineer. Throughout his career, he was nominated for two Academy Awards in the category Best Sound, working on 170 films between 1934 and 1998. Selected fil ...

John U.D. Page John Upshur Dennis Page (February 8, 1904 – December 11, 1950) was a United States Army officer from Saint Paul, Minnesota. Lieutenant Colonel Page received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir during the Kor ...

United States Coast Guard

* Frederick C. BillardLarzelere, pp 178–179 * Raymond Evans *

Elmer Fowler Stone Elmer "Archie" Fowler Stone (January 22, 1887 – May 20, 1936) was a United States naval aviator and a commander in the United States Coast Guard. Biography Stone was born in Livonia, New York and grew up in Norfolk, Virginia. He joined the U.S. ...

Philip F. Roach Philip F. Roach was a Commodore (United States), commodore in the United States Coast Guard. Biography Roach was born on February 11, 1881, in Sedalia, Colorado. He married Helen Bryan in 1939. Career Roach graduated from the United States Coast G ...

Non-U.S. recipients

Nikolai Basistiy Nikolai Efremovich Basistiy () ( – 20 October 1971) was an officer of the Soviet Navy. He rose to the rank of admiral and was commander of the Black Sea Fleet, in a career that spanned the First and Second World Wars, and the Russian Civi ...

, Soviet Union (1943). *

Gordon Bridson Commander Gordon Bridson, (2 December 1909 – 6 December 1972) was a New Zealand swimmer who won two silver medals at the 1930 British Empire Games. He was also in the New Zealand Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and in the Second World War, he ...

, New Zealand (1943)Dear, pp 46–47 *

Ernesto Burzagli Ernesto Burzagli (7 June 1873 – 13 September 1944) was a prominent figure in the Kingdom of Italy during the early 20th century. During a lifetime career in the Italian Royal Navy ('' Regia Marina Italiana''), he rose to the rank of Admiral an ...

, Italy (1919) * Harold Farncomb, Australia (1945) * Patrick “Bob” Gallagher, Ireland (1966), a

United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations through ...

Corporal who served in the

Vietnam War The Vietnam War (also known by #Names, other names) was a conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. It was the second of the Indochina Wars and was officially fought between North Vie ...

. * Donald Gilbert Kennedy of the

British Solomon Islands Protectorate Defence Force The British Solomon Islands Protectorate Defence Force (BSIPDF) was a locally recruited military unit in the British Solomon Islands Protectorate during World War II. It was created following the outbreak of war with Japan in 1942 and disbanded ...

and

Coastwatcher The Coastwatchers, also known as the Coast Watch Organisation, Combined Field Intelligence Service or Section C, Allied Intelligence Bureau, were Allied military intelligence operatives stationed on remote Pacific islands during World War II ...

during the Guadalcanal Campaign (World War II). * Israel Fisanovich, Soviet Union (1944), Soviet Navy submarine commander *

George Victor Jmaeff George Victor Jmaeff (August 14, 1945 – March 1, 1969) was a highly decorated United States Marine Corps corporal. He was one of the few Canadian-Americans to be killed in action during the Vietnam War and was also a recipient of the Navy Cro ...

, Canada (1969), posthumous * Émile Henry Muselier, France (1919) * Peter Phipps, New Zealand (1943) *

Ronald Niel Stuart Ronald Niel Stuart, VC, DSO, RD, RNR (26 August 1886 – 8 February 1954) was a British Merchant Navy commodore and Royal Navy captain who was highly commended following extensive and distinguished service at sea over a period of more tha ...

, first

Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force. Although warships were used by Kingdom of England, English and Kingdom of Scotland, Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were foug ...

officer to receive both the American Navy Cross and the British

Victoria Cross The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious award of the British honours system. It is awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British Armed Forces and may be awarded posthumously. It was previously ...

Snelling, Stephen. (2002)
''The Naval VCs,''
p. 142. *

Tran Van Bay Tran may refer to: Arts, media, and entertainment * "Tran", a novel in the Janissaries series named for a fictional planet * Dr. Tran, an animated miniseries People * Trần (陳), a Vietnamese surname * Tran, member of the Nazi-era comedy duo ...

, South Vietnam (1967), posthumous * Nguyen Van Kiet, South Vietnam (1972) * , Soviet Union (1944), Soviet Navy submarine commander

Notes

References

* * *

External links

Navy Cross – Criteria, Background, and Images
{{Authority control * Awards and decorations of the United States Coast Guard Awards and decorations of the United States Marine Corps Awards and decorations of the United States Navy Awards established in 1919 Courage awards Works by James Earle Fraser (sculptor)

History

Criteria

Wear

Description and symbolism

Notable recipients

United States Navy

United States Marine Corps

United States Army

United States Coast Guard

Non-U.S. recipients

See also

Notes

References

Further reading

External links