Coast Guard Cross

Coast Guard Cross
Drawing of the Coast Guard Cross
Awarded by the United States Coast Guard
Type	Military decoration
Eligibility	Persons who are serving in any capacity with the United States Coast Guard
Awarded for	Distinguishing themselves in action by extraordinary heroism not justifying the Medal of Honor.
Status	Currently approved Not yet awarded
Statistics
Established	15 October 2010
Precedence
Next (higher)	Medal of Honor
Equivalent	Army - Distinguished Service Cross Navy - Navy Cross Marine Corps - Navy Cross Air Force - Air Force Cross
Next (lower)	Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal
Coast Guard Cross Ribbon

The Coast Guard Cross is a military decoration of the United States Coast Guard. Established by Act of Congress on 15 October 2010, it is intended to recognize members of the United States Coast Guard for extraordinary heroism in action, while not operating under the Department of the Navy. Coast Guard members serving under the United States Navy would be eligible for the Navy Cross. This medal, though approved, has not yet been awarded.

In the past, during times of war, the US Coast Guard has operated as part of the US Navy. According to law under 14 U.S.C. §§ 4–3, "personnel of the Coast Guard shall be eligible to receive gratuities, medals, and other insignia of honor on the same basis as personnel in the naval service or serving in any capacity with the Navy." This allows the award of the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism while engaged in combat or armed action. During World War II, six US Coast Guard personnel, four officers and two enlisted, were awarded the Navy Cross.

On 4 August 1949, Public Law 63-535 was passed, bringing into force 14 U.S.C. § 492 and 14 U.S.C. § 493. This law established the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal and Coast Guard Medal. These awards were intended to parallel the Navy Distinguished Service Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, being awarded under the same criteria to Coast Guard personnel when not under the command of the Navy. This began the creation of a separate system of awards and decorations for the US Coast Guard when not operating under the Department of the Navy. In 1963, Public Law 88-77 even allowed for the award of the Medal of Honor to a member of the Coast Guard who met the award's criteria, without specifically being under the orders of the Navy.