Navy Cross

NC - NAVY CROSS 8455-00-680-0705

Eligibility Requirements

T he Navy Cross Medal is authorized (ccc) Section 6242 of title 10, United States is awarded to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the Navy or Marine Corps, distinguishes himself/herself by extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of the Medal of Honor while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. To warrant this distinctive decoration, the act or the execution of duty must be performed in the presence of great danger or at great personal risk and must be performed in such a manner as to set the individual apart from his or her shipmates or fellow Marines. An accumulation of minor acts of heroism does not justify the award. The high standards demanded must be borne in mind when recommending the award..

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Special Benefits for Navy Cross Recipients

Enlisted member who is credited with extraordi-nary heroism in line of duty who retires after 20 or more years active Federal service, is entitled to 10 percent increase in retired pay , subject to the 75 percent limit on total retired pay .

Sample Citation

navy cross citation

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the

NAVY CROSS

LIEUTENANT COLONEL JOHN J. KEITH

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

F or extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron Sugarwall during Operation DESERT STORM on 26 February 1991. As the 1st Marine Division attacked north to prevent Iraqi forces from escaping, Lieutenant Colonel Keith's repeated acts of bravery in providing close in fire support to embattled Marines helped collapse the Iraqi defenses. With visibility nearly impossible due to hundreds of burning oil field fires, and with total disregard for his own safety, he flew under and perilously close to high voltage power lines. Placing himself at grave personal risk to intermittent Iraqi ground and anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant Colonel Keith flew continuously for ten hours during the most intense periods of combat, twice having to control crash his aircraft. Employing a commercially borrowed Forward Looking Infrared Radar and Laser Designator, he flew through the Al Burgen Oil Field fires, between the AH-1W holding pattern and Task Force RIPPER’s forward lines. Leading flight after flight of rearmed gun ships to requesting units and remaining dangerously exposed forward of friendly lines, he designated Iraqi armored vehicles for engagement. Lieutenant Colonel Keith's courage and fearless dedication rallied fellow Marines and resulted in the destruction of as many as 70 Iraqi armored vehicles that day. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Keith reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. .

For the President, Secretary of the Navy

Societies / External Links

Legion of Valor