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 meda ...

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 Distinguished Service Cross (D.S.C.) is a military decoration for courage. Different versions exist for different countries. *Distinguished Service Cross (Australia) *Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom) *Distinguished Service Cross (U ...

, the Air Force and Space Force's Air Force Cross, and the

Coast Guard Cross The Coast Guard Cross (CGC) is the United States Coast Guard's second highest military decoration for Coast Guardsmen who distinguish themselves extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force. Established by Act of Congress on 15 Octo ...

. 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 val ...

was the sole U.S. award for valor at the time. The Army instituted the

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 The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a military decoration of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919 and is presented to sailors and Marines to recognize distinguished and exceptionally meritoriou ...

, 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 commerc ...

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 The chief of naval operations (CNO) is the professional head of the United States Navy. The position is a statutory office () held by an admiral who is a military adviser and deputy to the secretary of the Navy. In a separate capacity as a memb ...

Fleet Admiral Ernest King, were unaffected by the change in criteria.

Wear

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

and the

. 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 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 w ...

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

. ; Service Ribbon The service ribbon is

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 ...

with a center stripe of

white White is the 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 reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White ...

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 N ...

, 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–Amer ...

, 27th and 29th Naval Governor of Guam * Jackson D. Arnold * Barry K. Atkins * William B. Ault *

Bernard L. Austin Bernard Lige Austin (15 December 1902 – 21 September 1979) was a Vice Admiral of the United States Navy. His career included service in World War II, the Korean War, and the Cold War and command of submarines and surface ship forces, during ...

, 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 De ...

, namesake of * Matthew Axelson *

Edward L. Beach Jr. Edward Latimer Beach Jr. (April 20, 1918 – December 1, 2002) was a highly decorated United States Navy submarine officer and best-selling author. During World War II, he participated in the Battle of Midway and 12 combat patrols, earning 10 d ...

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 ...

* Claude C. Bloch * John Bradley *

William F. Bringle Admiral (United States), 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 ...

* Robert P. Briscoe * William H. Brockman Jr. Lieutenant Commander *

Phil H. Bucklew Phil Hinkle Bucklew (December 18, 1914 – December 30, 1992) was a professional American football player who went on to become a United States Navy officer. He served in one of the Navy's first special warfare units during World War II. Wh ...

(two awards) *

John D. Bulkeley John Duncan Bulkeley (19 August 1911 – 6 April 1996) was a vice admiral in the United States Navy and was one of its most decorated naval officers. Bulkeley received the Medal of Honor for actions in the Pacific Theater during World War II. ...

(plus MOH and 2 Army DSCs) *

Arleigh A. Burke Arleigh Albert Burke (October 19, 1901 – January 1, 1996) was an admiral of the United States Navy who distinguished himself during World War II and the Korean War, and who served as Chief of Naval Operations during the Eisenhower and Kenned ...

* Richard E. Byrd (plus MOH) *

Robert Carney Robert Bostwick Carney (March 26, 1895 – June 25, 1990) was an Admiral (United States), admiral in the United States Navy who served as commander-in-chief of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO forces in Southern Europe (1951–1 ...

* Charles P. Cecil (two awards), namesake of *

Gordon Pai'ea Chung-Hoon Gordon Paiea Chung-Hoon (July 25, 1910 – July 24, 1979) was an admiral in the United States Navy, who served during World War II and was the first Asian American flag officer. He received the Navy Cross and Silver Star for conspicuous gal ...

Bernard A. Clarey Bernard Ambrose Clarey (May 4, 1912 – June 15, 1996), nicknamed "Chick", was an admiral of the United States Navy. A submarine commander during World War II, he served during the late 1960s as Vice Chief of Naval Operations and in the ea ...

(three awards) *

George Thomas Coker George Thomas Coker (born July 14, 1943) is a retired United States Navy commander who was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism as a prisoner of war (POW) during the Vietnam War. An Eagle Scout, he is noted for his devotion to Scoutin ...

* James J. Connell * Richard L. Conolly * Walter W. Coolbaugh, 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 as ...

, 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. Sinc ...

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 Maurice Edwin Curts (March 25, 1898 – February 15, 1976) was a four-star admiral in the United States Navy who served as commander in chief of the United States Pacific Fleet in 1958. Early career He was born in Flint, Michigan to Edwin James C ...

* Slade Cutter (four awards) * Roy M. Davenport (5 awards, World War II) *

Albert David Albert Leroy David (July 18, 1902 – September 17, 1945) was an officer in the United States Navy during World War II and a recipient of two Navy Crosses as well as the Medal of Honor. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his role in hel ...

(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 (4 awards and Army DSC and

) * James Charles Dempsey, 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 Lieutenant (three awards) * Danny Dietz * Glynn R. "Donc" Donaho (four awards) * Mark L. Donald, Navy SEAL, medical officer * William P. Driscoll * Thomas M. Dykers, Rear admiral (two awards) * Laurance T. DuBose, Admiral (three awards) * Thomas Eadie Lieutenant (two awards and

) *

Henry E. Eccles Henry Effingham Eccles (born in Bayside, New York, on December 31, 1898 - died May 14, 1986 in Needham, Massachusetts) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and a major figure at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island from the lat ...

* Richard S. Edwards *

Joseph F. Enright Joseph Francis Enright (September 18, 1910 – July 20, 2000) was a submarine captain in the United States Navy. He is best known as the man who sank the Japanese aircraft carrier ''Shinano''–the "most significant single submarine sinking of ...

* Harry D. Felt *

William Charles Fitzgerald William "Bill" C. Fitzgerald (January 28, 1938 – August 7, 1967) was a United States Navy officer who was killed in action during the Vietnam War, while serving as an advisor to the Republic of Vietnam Navy. He received the Navy Cross posthumou ...

namesake of *

Eugene B. Fluckey Eugene Bennett Fluckey (October 5, 1913 – June 28, 2007), nicknamed "Lucky Fluckey", was a United States Navy rear admiral who received the Medal of Honor and four Navy Crosses during his service as a submarine commander in World War II. Earl ...

(4 awards and

) * Luis Fonseca, hospital corpsman *

James Shepherd Freeman James Shepherd Freeman (1900 – 1962) was a World War II admiral in the United States Navy and the son of the Alabama millionaire James Stanley Freeman. Early life Freeman was born on April 30, 1900, in Jasper, Alabama. He graduated from the Un ...

* Neldon Theo French namesake of * Ignatius J. Galantin * William Gilmer, 22nd and 24th Naval Governor of Guam * George William Grider, 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. William Frederick "Bull" Halsey Jr. (October 30, 1882 – August 16, 1959) was an American Navy admiral during World War II. He is one of four officers to have attained the rank of five-star fleet admiral of the United States Navy, the other ...

, Fleet admiral, commanded Third Fleet 1943-1945 * Robert W. Hayler (three awards), namesake of * Arthur Ray Hawkins (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 f ...

(first female recipient), namesake of * William A. Hodgman, 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 Com ...

, (3 awards) * John Howard Hoover * 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 1 ...

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 Med ...

(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 N ...

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, Fleet admiral, 9th

* Thomas B. Klakring (three awards) * Norman Jack "Dusty" Kleiss (1942, Divebomber pilot) * Hugo W. Koehler * Edmond 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 * William D. Leahy (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 Charles Elliott Loughlin (February 19, 1910 – October 31, 1989) was an officer of the United States Navy, where he reached the rank of Rear Admiral. He is best known for his court-martial following the controversial sinking of the Japanese ho ...

(two awards) * Marcus Luttrell * Harold John Mack *

John S. McCain Sr. John Sidney "Slew" McCain (August 9, 1884 – September 6, 1945) was a U.S. Navy admiral and the patriarch of the McCain military family. McCain held several command assignments during the Pacific campaign of World War II. He was a pioneer of a ...

* David McCampbell (plus

) *

Benjamin McCandlish Benjamin Vaughan McCandlish (June 3, 1886 – October 16, 1975) was a United States Navy flag officer who served as the 36th Naval Governor of Guam and was a recipient of the Navy Cross. Early life On June 3, 1886, McCandlish was born in P ...

, 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 *

Donald L. McFaul Donald Lewis McFaul (20 September 1957 – 20 December 1989) was a United States Navy SEAL killed in action at Paitilla Airfield during Operation Just Cause, the 1989 United States invasion of Panama. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Hea ...

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 (DE-1036) * Luke McNamee, 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) on ...

. * 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. (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 Edwin Taylor Pollock (October 25, 1870June 4, 1943) was a career officer in the United States Navy, serving in the Spanish–American War and in World War I. He was later promoted to the rank of captain. As a young ensign, Pollock served aboard ...

* John Martin Poyer, 12th Governor of American Samoa *

Lawson P. Ramage Lawson Paterson "Red" Ramage (19 January 1909 – 15 April 1990) was a vice admiral in the United States Navy and a noted submarine commander during World War II. Ramage was decorated with the Medal of Honor and several other combat decorati ...

(two awards plus MOH) * DeWitt Clinton Ramsey * Joseph M. Reeves * 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, ...

* Samuel Robison * Dean Rockwell * Maurice H. Rindskopf * Tony F. Schneider (two awards)''University of New Mexico NROTC Sun Line'' Vol.IV No.1 November 1965 * Frank Herman Schofield * David F. Sellers * Benedict J. Semmes, Jr., Vice Admiral * Forrest P. Sherman * Rodger W. Simpson (two awards) * Harold Page Smith * 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 * Giles C. Stedman * George L. Street, III (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 (two awards) * Robert J. Thomas * John H. Towers *

Charles R. Train Charles Russell Train (October 18, 1817 – July 28, 1885) was a U.S. Representative from Massachusetts. Biography Born in Framingham, Massachusetts, Train attended the common schools, Framingham Academy, and was graduated from Brown Universi ...

* Richmond K. Turner * Frank B. Upham * Stanley W. Vejtasa, U.S. Navy ace (three awards) * Corydon M. Wassell * Ivan Wettengel, 25th Naval Governor of Guam *

James E. Williams James Elliott Williams (November 13, 1930 – October 13, 1999) was an American law enforcement officer and honorary United States Navy chief boatswain's mate who was awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War. Boatswain's Mate First Cl ...

, 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 e ...

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 g ...

United States Marine Corps

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

) * Victor Bleasdale (two awards plus an Army DSC) * John F. Bolt * Gregory "Pappy" Boyington (plus

) *

Martin Brandtner Martin Louis Brandtner (3 July 1938 – 3 January 2017) was a highly decorated United States Marine Corps lieutenant general. He was one of just two Marines to be awarded two Navy Crosses during the Vietnam War. Early life and education Bra ...

(two awards) *

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

* Marion Eugene Carl (two awards) * Evans Carlson (three awards) *

Clifton B. Cates Clifton Bledsoe Cates (August 31, 1893 – June 4, 1970) was a United States Marine Corps four-star general who served as the 19th Commandant of the Marine Corps from 1948 to 1951. He was honored for his heroism during World War I at the Battle ...

(plus two awards Army DSC) * Brian Chontosh *

George R. Christmas George Ronald Christmas (born March 11, 1940) is a retired United States Marine Corps lieutenant general. Christmas was awarded the Navy Cross and Purple Heart for valor in 1968, during the Vietnam War. He served on active duty in the Marine ...

* Julius Cogswell (plus Army DSC) * Alfred A. Cunningham * William H. Dabney * Joseph W. Dailey *

Daniel Daly Daniel Joseph Daly (November 11, 1873 – April 27, 1937) was a United States Marine and one of nineteen U.S. servicemen to have been awarded the Medal of Honor twice. He earned his first Medal of Honor during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900 ...

(plus two awards

, and an Army DSC) * Ray Davis (plus

) * James Devereux * William A. Eddy * Merritt A. Edson (two awards plus

) * Raymond Frybarger, Jr. Namesake of the * Guy Gabaldon * Roy Geiger (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 Bana ...

(two awards plus

) * Robert M. Hanson (plus

* Myron Harrington, Jr. *

Leo D. Hermle Leo David "Dutch" Hermle (June 30, 1890 – January 21, 1976) was a highly decorated officer in the United States Marine Corps with the rank of lieutenant general. He was a recipient of Army and Navy second highest decorations, Navy Cross and ...

(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 Henry Lewis Hulbert (January 12, 1867 – October 4, 1918) was a United States Marine who served during the Second Samoan Civil War and World War I. As a private, he received the Medal of Honor for distinguished service in Samoa on April 1, 1 ...

(plus

, and an Army DSC) * Bradley Kasal * Treddy Ketcham *

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 Fig ...

* Henry Louis Larsen (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 ...

* Justin LeHew *

William K. MacNulty William Kirk MacNulty (May 22, 1892 in Antrim, Pennsylvania – August 3, 1964) was a U.S. Marine Corps, U. S. Marine. He was a U.S. Marine Corps Second Lieutenant (United States), second lieutenant during World War I and saw action at the Battl ...

* Victor Maghakian * 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) (plus an Army DSC) *

Raymond Murray Major General Raymond Leroy Murray (January 30, 1913 – November 11, 2004) was a highly decorated United States Marine Corps officer who earned two Navy Crosses, one during World War II and a second during the Korean War. He retired from act ...

(two awards plus an Army DSC) * Peter J. Ortiz (two awards) *

Rafael Peralta Rafael Peralta (April 7, 1979 – November 15, 2004) was a United States Marine killed in combat during the Second Battle of Fallujah during the Iraq War. In September 2008 his family was notified that he was awarded the Navy Cross, the sec ...

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

John H. Quick John Henry Quick (June 20, 1870 – September 9, 1922) was a United States Marine who received the Medal of Honor for his actions at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in 1898 during the Spanish–American War and the Distinguished Service Cross and the Navy ...

(plus

, and an Army DSC) *

Kenneth L. Reusser Kenneth L. Reusser (January 27, 1920 – June 20, 2009) was a United States Marine Corps aviator who was considered the most decorated Marine Aviator, having flown 253 combat missions, earning 59 medals, including two Navy Crosses while flying in ...

(two awards) * John Ripley * Harold C. Roberts (three awards) * Ford O. Rogers *

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 William Henry Rupertus (November 14, 1889 – March 25, 1945) was a major general in the United States Marine Corps, who commanded the famed 1st Marine Division in the Pacific in World War II and also authored the USMC Rifleman's Creed. Milita ...

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 * Harry Schmidt * Harold G. Schrier (flag raiser on Iwo Jima) *

Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. Lemuel Cornick Shepherd Jr. (February 10, 1896 – August 6, 1990) was a four-star general of the United States Marine Corps. A veteran of World War I, World War II, and the Korean War, he was the 20th Commandant of the Marine Corps. As C ...

(plus an Army DSC) * Robert Taplett * Alexander Vandegrift (plus

) * Lew Walt (two awards) * Jim Webb * John H. Yancey (two awards) * George Yarborough (namesake of ) * Jeremiah Workman

United States Army

* Stephen J. Chamberlin * Rex T. Barber * Thomas George Lanphier, Jr. * John W. Mitchell * John U.D. Page

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 ...

* Philip F. Roach

Non-U.S. recipients

* Nikolai Basistiy, 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, ...

, New Zealand (1943)Dear, pp 46–47 * Ernesto Burzagli, Italy (1919) *

Harold Farncomb Rear Admiral Harold Bruce Farncomb (28 February 1899 – 12 February 1971) was a senior officer in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) who served in the First and Second World Wars, and as a lawyer. He was the first Australian-born RAN officer to r ...

, 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 c ...

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 Donald Gilbert Kennedy (March 1898 – 1976) was a teacher, then an administrator in the British colonial service in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony and the British Solomon Islands Protectorate. For his services as a Coastwatcher during the ...

of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate Defence Force 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 The Guadalcanal campaign, also known as the Battle of Guadalcanal and codenamed Operation Watchtower by American forces, was a military campaign fought between 7 August 1942 and 9 February 1943 on and around the island of Guadalcanal in the ...

(World War II). *

Israel Fisanovich Israel Ilyich Fisanovich ( sometimes transliterated as ''Izrail Fisanovich''; – 27 July 1944) was a Soviet Navy submarine commander and Hero of the Soviet Union. He died when his submarine, the former , was sunk in a friendly fire incide ...

, Soviet Union (1944), Soviet Navy submarine commander * George Victor Jmaeff, Canada (1969), posthumous * Émile Henry Muselier, France (1919) * Peter Phipps, New Zealand (1943) * Ronald Niel Stuart, first

Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force. Although warships were used by English and Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were fought in the Hundred Years' War against Fr ...

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 previousl ...

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