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US Navy Presidential Unit Citation 2

The United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation

Overview

The United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation was presented to the 1st New Zealand Special Air Service (NZSAS) Group by George Bush, President of the United States of America, at a ceremony held at the Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar, California on 7 December 2004.

The citation was awarded for “extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance of duty in action” in Afghanistan from 17 October 2001 until 20 March 2002. It noted that those awarded established “benchmark standard of professionalism, tenacity, courage, tactical brilliance, and operational brilliance, and operational excellence while demonstrating superb esprit de corps and maintaining the highest measures of combat readiness.”

In 2006, Her Majesty The Queen has gave Her approval for the unrestricted acceptance and wear of the award.

Description

The United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation consists of navy blue, yellow, and red horizontal stripes.

Eligibility

The unit citation was awarded to all those units which comprised CJSOTF-SOUTH in Afghanistan. These units were drawn from the United States, New Zealand, Canada, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Australia, and Turkey.

Members of the NZSAS who served with the CJSOTF-SOUTH can permanently wear the emblem of the United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation on the right breast of their uniforms. Personnel subsequently posted to the unit may wear the citation emblem only while they are serving with the unit.

Queries & requests

  • Wearing this citation

    The United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation is worn on the right breast. It is not included in the New Zealand Order of Wear. 

    For more information on how to wear and care for honours, medals, and awards:

  • Applying for this citation

    This citation is issued at the unit level to current serving personnel for temporary wear.

    Ex-serving personnel previously posted to the unit approved for permanent wear can apply through our application page.

    Apply for unclaimed medals

  • Checking if this citation was awarded

    Honours, medals, and awards bestowed on an individual for service in the New Zealand Armed Forces are recorded in their individual service record.  NZDF Personnel Archives and Medals holds a collection of about 1.5 million service records relating to 420,000 New Zealand service personnel who served in New Zealand’s Military Forces after the First World War.

    Service records are not currently digitised, but we can locate it and find the information you might be looking for or help you book a time for you to see the records in Trentham by completing the form on the Service Record page. 

    Request a service record