Navy Cross
This distinctive and honorable
decoration was given for acts or execution of duty that was performed at great personal risk or in an
extremely dangerous situation to member of the
United States Navy and the
United States Marine Corps. February 4, 1919, the Navy Cross came into existence by way of an act of
Congress (
Public Law 253, 65th Congress), but was given for service the met the required criteria back to April 6, 1917. Although no prouder
decorations exist today than the Navy Cross, at the time it was the third highest distinction one could receive. It could be awarded for both
combat heroism and for other
distinguished service.
The front of the Navy Cross had crossed anchors and “USN”; the back had a sailing ship. Occasionally these were reversed, though I don’t know why. The crosses themselves were
bronze, earlier versions were dull even greenish bronze, these had a very narrow white stripe centered on a blue ribbon. The blue represents Naval service, and the white
alludes to the purity of selflessness. These were used from 1919-1928. From 1928-1941 the white stripe was widened to ¼. The
planchet , which was one and a half inches wide, during this period was a darker bronze. From 1941-1942 there was a variation informally nicknamed “
Black Widow.” The cross on this one was also bronze but, it looked much like a
parkerized gunmetal
finish. One note on the many of the "Black Widow" awards were distributed
posthumously. About half way through
World War II the design returned to the dull bronze style.
The following are the total amounts of awards given out and when they were given.
World War I - 1,658
Haiti - 10
Gillespie Expedition - 12
Lake
Denmark Explosion - 20
Florence H. Explosion - 62
Byrd
Expedition – 8
NC Flights –15
Panay Incident – 26
Squalus Rescue - 46
Other – 36
2nd
Nicaragua – 102
World War II – 3.645
Korea - 246
Vietnam - 485
USS Liberty Incident - 1
Pueblo Incident - 1
Grenada - 1
Operation
Desert Storm - 2
Operation Just Cause (Panama) - 1
Total – 6,375
The first
recipient was unknown, due to the fact that the awards were first given out
retroactively to a list of people after
World War I
Sources:
http://www.history.navy.mil/medals/navcross.htm