§ 578.58 - Valorous Unit Award.

(a) Criteria. The Valorous Unit Award (VUA) may be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed 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 for actions occurring on or after August 3, 1963.

(b) Requirements. The VUA requires a lesser degree of gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps than that required for the Presidential Unit Citation. Nevertheless, the unit must have performed with marked distinction under difficult and hazardous conditions in accomplishing its mission so as to set it apart from and above other units participating in the same conflict. The degree of heroism required is the same as that which would warrant award of the Silver Star to an individual. Extended periods of combat duty or participation in a large number of operational missions, either ground or air is not sufficient.

(c) Unit eligibility. This award will normally be earned by units that have participated in single or successive actions covering relatively brief time spans. It is not reasonable to presume that entire units can sustain Silver Star performance for extended periods except under the most unusual circumstances. Recommendations for units larger than brigade will not be submitted.

(d) Awarding authorities. The Deputy Chief of Staff (DCS), G-1 is approval authority for the VUA. Recommendations for award of the VUA will be forwarded to Commander, USA HRC, ATTN: AHRC-PDO-PA, Alexandria, VA 22332-0471, for processing to the DCS, G-1 for final action.

(e) Award elements. The award elements for the VUA are as follows:

(1) VUA Streamer;

(2) VUA Emblem;

(3) VUA Certificate and Citation;

(4) DAGO.

(f) Description. The VUA emblem is 17/16 inches wide and 9/16 inch in height. The emblem consists of a 1/16 inch wide gold frame with laurel leaves which encloses a ribbon of the pattern of the Silver Star Medal ribbon centered on a red ribbon. The stripe dimensions of the ribbon are: 3/8 inch old glory red 67156; 1/16 inch ultramarine blue 67118; 1/164 inch white 67101; 3/32 inch ultramarine blue 67118; 3/32 inch white 67101; center 3/32 inch old glory red 67156; 3/32 inch white 67101; 3/32 inch ultramarine blue 67118; 1/64 inch white 67101; 1/16 inch ultramarine blue; and 3/8 inch old glory red 67156. The streamers are the same pattern as the silver star medal ribbon.