| Navy Cross | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Service cross medal |
| Awarded for | Extraordinary heroism in combat |
| Presented by | United States Department of the Navy[1] |
| Eligibility | Marines and naval sailors of the United States |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Established | Act of Congress (Public Law 65-253), approved on February 4, 1919. |
| First awarded | 1919 |
| Total | c. 5,400 (as of December 2017)[2] |
 | |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Medal of Honor |
| Equivalent |
|
| Next (lower) | Department of Defense: Defense Distinguished Service Medal Department of Homeland Security: Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal |
The Navy Cross is the United States Naval Service's second-highest military decoration awarded for sailors and marines who distinguish themselves for extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force.[3] The medal is equivalent to the Army's Distinguished Service Cross, the Air and Space Forces' Air Force Cross, and the Coast Guard Cross.
The Navy Cross is bestowed by the Secretary of the Navy and may also be awarded to members of the other armed services, and to foreign military personnel while serving with the U.S. Naval Service. The Navy Cross was established by Act of Congress (Public Law 65-253) and approved on February 4, 1919.
- ^ "Navy and Marine Corps awards manual" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-09-18. Retrieved 2018-01-10.
- ^ "Recipients of the Navy Cross". valor.militarytimes.com. Archived from the original on 2017-12-09.
- ^ SECNAVYINST 2006, 1650.1H, P. 2--22&23