Navy Cross

The Navy Cross is the second highest medal that can be awarded by the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. It was established by Act of Congress (Public Law 253, 65th Congress) and approved on February 4 1919. The Navy Cross is equivalent to the Distinguished Service Cross (Army) and the Air Force Cross (Air Force).

Description and Symbolism

Obverse

The Navy Cross is a modified cross patée one and a half inches wide (the ends of its arms are rounded whereas a conventional cross patée has arms that are straight on the end). There are four laurel leaves with berries in each of the re-entrant arms of the cross. In the center of the cross a sailing vessel is depicted on waves, sailing to the viewer's left. The vessel is a symbolic caravel of the type used between 1480 and 1500. Fraser selected the caravel because it was a symbol often used by the Naval Academy and because it represented both naval service and the tradition of the sea. The laurel leaves with berries refer to achievement.

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Reverse

In the center of a bronze cross patée one and a half inches wide, crossed anchors from the pre-1850 period, with cables attached. The letters USN appear amid the anchors.

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Ribbon

The ribbon is navy blue with a center stripe of white. the blue alludes to Navy service and the white represents the purity of selflessness.

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