NAVY CROSS

     a. Authorization.   10 U.S.C. 6242 

     b. Eligibility Requirements 

          (1) Awarded to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the Navy or Marine Corps, is cited for gallantry in action that does not warrant the Medal of Honor 

               (a) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; 

               (b) While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or 

               (c) 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. 

          (2) 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 shipmates of 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. 

The Navy Cross was instituted on 4 February 1919. The original wording of the act allowed for the award of the NC for "…acts of heroism or distinguished service…such heroism or distinguished service not being sufficient to justify a Medal of Honor or Distinguished Service Medal." 

This wording made the Navy Cross subordinate to the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, which was authorized by the same Act of Congress. This created a awkward situation since the Navy DSM could not be awarded for combat heroism. 

This situation was cleared up in 1942, when an Act of Congress restricted the NC to acts of combat bravery and elevated it to a position between the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross. Today the Navy Cross still ranks second in the Navy's Pyramid of Honor and remains the highest valor award that can be bestowed upon civilians serving with the Navy.