Navy Cross

The Navy Cross may be awarded to any member of the U.S. Armed Forces while serving with the Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard (when a part of the Department of the Navy) who distinguishes themselves in action by extraordinary heroism not justifying an award of the Medal of Honor. The action must take place under one of three circumstances:

In combat action while engaged against an enemy of the United States; or, In combat action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or, In combat action while serving with friendly foreign forces, who are engaged in armed conflict in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The act(s) to be commended must be performed in the presence of great danger, or at great personal risk, and must be performed in such a manner as to render the individual's action(s) highly conspicuous among others of equal grade, rate, experience, or position of responsibility. An accumulation of minor acts of heroism does not justify an award of the Navy Cross.

As originally authorized, the Navy Cross could be awarded for distinguished non-combat acts, but legislation of 7 August 1942 limited the award to acts of combat heroism. Past Navy Cross awards for merit, such as to 9th Chief of Naval Operations Fleet Admiral Ernest King, were unaffected by the change in criteria.

Recipients of Five Navy Crosses Only two individuals have achieved the distinction of five Navy Crosses, representing the pinnacle of sustained combat leadership.

Roy M. Davenport (USN): Submarine Commander of the USS Haddock. He remains the only sailor to earn five Navy Crosses. Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller (USMC): Marine infantry leader during World War II and the Korean War. He is the most decorated Marine in U.S. history. Recipients of Four Navy Crosses Slade Cutter (USN): Submarine Commander noted for aggressive patrols in the Pacific theater. Samuel D. Dealey (USN): Commanding officer of the USS Harder; also a posthumous Medal of Honor recipient. Glynn R. Donaho (USN): Key figure in the Pacific submarine campaign. Eugene B. Fluckey (USN): Commander of the USS Barb; also a Medal of Honor recipient. Dudley W. Morton (USN): Known as "Mush" Morton, commander of the USS Wahoo. Notable Multiple Recipients (3 or more Navy Crosses) Submarine Service Bernard A. Clarey: Recognized for three distinct patrols of extraordinary heroism. Richard H. O’Kane: Commander of the USS Tang; Medal of Honor recipient. William H. Brockman Jr.: Awarded for his leadership during the Battle of Midway and subsequent patrols. Creed Burlingame: Commander of the USS Silversides during three highly successful war patrols. Frank Wesley Fenno Jr.: Awarded three Navy Crosses, including for his command of the USS Trout. Naval Aviation Noel A. M. Gayler: One of the few pilots to earn three Navy Crosses for aerial victories. Arthur R. Hawkins: A prolific Navy Ace who earned three Navy Crosses. Swede Vejtasa: Stanley Winfield Vejtasa, earned three Navy Crosses in the Pacific theater. Samuel Adams: Combat pilot awarded three Navy Crosses for Midway and Coral Sea. Herbert N. Houck: Commander of Air Group 9, recognized for strikes on Japanese naval forces. Cornelius N. Nooy: One of the highest-scoring aces in the history of the Navy. Marc A. Mitscher: Admiral and pioneer of naval aviation. Surface Warfare and Marine Corps Evans F. Carlson: Leader of the famed "Carlson's Raiders." William A. Lee: A key figure in the Marine Corps, recognized for heroism in multiple actions. Harold C. Roberts: Distinguished Marine officer across three conflicts. Frederick C. Sherman: Admiral and carrier commander at the Battle of the Coral Sea.

^ "Roy Milton Davenport - Navy Cross Citations". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 2026-03-21.

^ "Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller - Navy Cross Citations". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 2026-03-21.

^ "Slade Deville Cutter - Navy Cross Citations". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 2026-03-21.

^ "Samuel David Dealey - Navy Cross Citations". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 2026-03-21.

^ "Glynn Robert Donaho - Navy Cross Citations". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 2026-03-21.

^ "Eugene Bennett Fluckey - Navy Cross Citations". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 2026-03-21.

^ "Dudley Walker Morton - Navy Cross Citations". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 2026-03-21.

^ "Bernard Ambrose Clarey - Navy Cross Citations". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 2026-03-21.

^ "Richard Hedges O'Kane - Navy Cross Citations". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 2026-03-21.

^ "William Herman Brockman, Jr. - Navy Cross Citations". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 2026-03-21.

^ "Creed Cardwell Burlingame - Navy Cross Citations". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 2026-03-21.

^ "Frank Wesley Fenno Jr. - Navy Cross Citations". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 2026-03-21.

^ "Noel Arthur Meredyth Gayler - Navy Cross Citations". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 2026-03-21.

^ "Arthur Ray Hawkins - Navy Cross Citations". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 2026-03-21.

^ "Stanley Winfield Vejtasa - Navy Cross Citations". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 2026-03-21.

^ "Samuel Adams - Navy Cross Citations". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 2026-03-21.

^ "Herbert Norman Houck - Navy Cross Citations". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 2026-03-21.

^ "Cornelius Nicholas Nooy - Navy Cross Citations". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 2026-03-21.

^ "Marc Andrew Mitscher - Navy Cross Citations". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 2026-03-21.

^ "Evans Fordyce Carlson - Navy Cross Citations". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 2026-03-21.

^ "William A. Lee - Navy Cross Citations". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 2026-03-21.

^ "Harold C. Roberts - Navy Cross Citations". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 2026-03-21.

^ "Frederick Carl Sherman - Navy Cross Citations". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 2026-03-21.

Only two individuals have achieved the distinction of five Navy Crosses, representing the pinnacle of sustained combat leadership.

Roy M. Davenport (USN): Submarine Commander of the USS Haddock. He remains the only sailor to earn five Navy Crosses. Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller (USMC): Marine infantry leader during World War II and the Korean War. He is the most decorated Marine in U.S. history.

^ "Roy Milton Davenport - Navy Cross Citations". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 2026-03-21.

^ "Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller - Navy Cross Citations". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 2026-03-21.

Slade Cutter (USN): Submarine Commander noted for aggressive patrols in the Pacific theater. Samuel D. Dealey (USN): Commanding officer of the USS Harder; also a posthumous Medal of Honor recipient. Glynn R. Donaho (USN): Key figure in the Pacific submarine campaign. Eugene B. Fluckey (USN): Commander of the USS Barb; also a Medal of Honor recipient. Dudley W. Morton (USN): Known as "Mush" Morton, commander of the USS Wahoo.

^ "Slade Deville Cutter - Navy Cross Citations". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 2026-03-21.

^ "Samuel David Dealey - Navy Cross Citations". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 2026-03-21.

^ "Glynn Robert Donaho - Navy Cross Citations". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 2026-03-21.

^ "Eugene Bennett Fluckey - Navy Cross Citations". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 2026-03-21.

^ "Dudley Walker Morton - Navy Cross Citations". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 2026-03-21.

See also: List of Navy Cross recipients for World War II, List of Navy Cross recipients for the Korean War, and List of Navy Cross recipients for the Vietnam War United States Navy

Laurence A. Abercrombie (three awards) Samuel Adams (naval officer) (three awards) James Thomas Alexander, 35th Naval Governor of Guam Adelbert Althouse, 27th and 29th Naval Governor of Guam Jackson D. Arnold Barry K. Atkins William B. Ault Bernard L. Austin, (two awards) John Arnold Austin, namesake of USS Austin (DE-15) Matthew Axelson Edward L. Beach Jr. Richard Halsey Best Claude C. Bloch John Bradley William F. Bringle Robert P. Briscoe William H. Brockman Jr. (three awards) Phil H. Bucklew (two awards) John D. Bulkeley (also a Medal of Honor (MOH) and 2 Army Distinguished Service Crosses (DSC)s) William O. Burch (three awards) Arleigh A. Burke Creed Burlingame (3 awards) Richard E. Byrd (also an MOH) Robert Carney Charles P. Cecil (two awards), namesake of USS Charles P. Cecil (DD-835) Gordon Pai'ea Chung-Hoon Bernard A. Clarey (three awards) George Thomas Coker James J. Connell Richard L. Conolly Walter W. Coolbaugh, namesake of USS Coolbaugh (DE-217) George Franklin Cooper Ralph W. Cousins William P. Cronan, 19th Naval Governor of Guam William Michael Crose, 7th Governor of American Samoa Randy "Duke" Cunningham Winfield Scott Cunningham Maurice E. Curts Slade Cutter (four awards) Roy M. Davenport (five awards) Albert David (two awards and an MOH) Arthur C. Davis, (three awards) Samuel David Dealey (four awards, an Army DSC and an MOH) James Charles Dempsey, (two awards) Dieter Dengler Clarence E. Dickinson, (three awards) Danny Dietz Glynn R. "Donc" Donaho (four awards) Mark L. Donald William P. Driscoll Thomas M. Dykers, (two awards) Laurance T. DuBose, (three awards) Thomas Eadie (two awards and an MOH) Henry E. Eccles Richard S. Edwards Joseph F. Enright Harry D. Felt William Charles Fitzgerald namesake of USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) Eugene B. Fluckey (four awards and an MOH) Luis Fonseca James Shepherd Freeman Neldon Theo French namesake of USS French (DE-367) Ignatius J. Galantin Antone R. Gallaher (four awards) William Gilmer, 22nd and 24th Naval Governor of Guam George William Grider, U.S. Representative to the 89th Congress Robert Halperin William Halsey Jr. one of four WWII Fleet Admirals and namesake of USS Halsey (CG-23) and USS Halsey (DDG-97) Robert W. Hayler (three awards), namesake of USS Hayler (DD-997) Arthur Ray Hawkins (three awards) Henry Kent Hewitt (two awards) Lenah H. Sutcliffe Higbee, (first female recipient), namesake of USS Higbee (DD-806) William A. Hodgman, 23rd Naval Governor of Guam Gilbert C. Hoover, (three awards) John Howard Hoover Frederick J. Horne John Howard Royal E. Ingersoll Jonas H. Ingram (also an MOH) Richard H. Jackson Edward C. Kalbfus Draper Kauffman (two awards) Charles Keating IV Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. (posthumously, member of the Kennedy family and brother of the 35th U.S. President Ira C. Kepford (two awards) Ernest J. King, 9th Chief of Naval Operations, one of four WWII Fleet admirals and namesake of USS King (DDG-41) Thomas B. Klakring (three awards) Norman Jack "Dusty" Kleiss Hugo W. Koehler Edmond Konrad (two awards) George Landenberger, 23rd Governor of American Samoa John H. Lang Harris Laning William D. Leahy one of four WWII Fleet Admirals and namesake of USS Leahy (DLG-16) Willis A. Lee Gatewood Lincoln, 22nd Governor of American Samoa Elliott Loughlin (two awards) Marcus Luttrell Harold John Mack John S. McCain Sr. David McCampbell (also an MOH) Benjamin McCandlish, 36th Naval Governor of Guam John McCloy (also two MOH) C. Wade McClusky Donald L. McFaul Charles H. McMorris, namesake of USS McMorris (DE-1036) Luke McNamee, 10th and 12th Naval Governor of Guam, and 21st Director of the Office of Naval Intelligence Doris "Dorie" Miller (first African American recipient), namesake of USS Miller (FF-1091) and USS Doris Miller (CVN-81) Hugh B. Miller (two awards) Marc Mitscher (three awards) John Anderson Moore (three awards) Dudley W. "Mush" Morton, (four awards) Jesse W. Naul Jr. (also two Distinguished Flying Crosses (DFC)s) Louis McCoy Nulton Edward "Butch" O'Hare (also an MOH) Richard H. "Dick" O'Kane, (three awards and an MOH) Chick Parsons (two awards) Edwin Taylor Pollock John Martin Poyer, 12th Governor of American Samoa Lawson P. Ramage (two awards and an MOH) DeWitt Clinton Ramsey Joseph M. Reeves George S. Rentz, namesake of USS Rentz (FFG-46) Robert H. Rice (two awards) Frederick Lois Riefkohl Samuel B. Roberts Samuel Robison Dean Rockwell Maurice H. Rindskopf Tony F. Schneider, (two awards) Frank Herman Schofield David F. Sellers Benedict J. Semmes Jr. Forrest P. Sherman Rodger W. Simpson (two awards) Harold Page Smith Charles P. Snyder Raymond A. Spruance Giles C. Stedman George L. Street III (also an MOH) Felix Stump (two awards) John Thach (two awards) Robert J. Thomas John H. Towers Charles R. Train Richmond K. Turner Frank B. Upham Stanley W. Vejtasa, (three awards) also a USN fighter ace Corydon M. Wassell Ivan Wettengel, 25th Naval Governor of Guam James E. Williams, (also an MOH and two Silver Stars) Adam Williams (awarded as Adam William Berg) Royce Williams Clark H. Woodward (also two Distinguished Service Medals) Harry E. Yarnell

United States Marine Corps

Robert H. Barrow (also an Army Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)) John Basilone (also a Medal of Honor (MOH)), namesake of USS John Basilone (DDG-122) Victor Bleasdale (two awards and an Army DSC) John F. Bolt Gregory "Pappy" Boyington (also an MOH) Martin Brandtner (two awards) William Perry Brown Jr. (two awards) James Carson Breckinridge Marion Eugene Carl (two awards) Evans Carlson (three awards) Clifton B. Cates (also two Army DSCs) Brian Chontosh George R. Christmas Julius Cogswell, (also an Army DSC) Andrew F. Cook Jr., namesake of USS Cook (APD-130) Dallas H. Cook, namesake of USS Cook (APD-130) Alfred A. Cunningham William H. Dabney Joseph W. Dailey Daniel Daly (also two MOHs and an Army DSC) Ray Davis (also an MOH) James Devereux William A. Eddy Merritt A. Edson (two awards and an MOH) John W. Frederick Jr., (Vietnam War POW) Raymond Frybarger Jr., namesake of USS Frybarger Guy Gabaldon Patrick “Bob” Gallagher, namesake of USS Patrick Gallagher (DDG-127) Roy Geiger (two awards) Herman H. Hanneken (two awards and an MOH) Robert M. Hanson (also an MOH) Myron Harrington Jr. Leo D. Hermle (also an Army DSC) Thomas Holcomb Edward Buist Hope, (also an Army DSC) Henry L. Hulbert (also an MOH and an Army DSC) George Victor Jmaeff Bradley Kasal Treddy Ketcham Victor H. Krulak Henry Louis Larsen (two awards) Kurt Chew-Een Lee Justin LeHew William K. MacNulty Victor Maghakian William Edward Campbell March Karl Marlantes Pete McCloskey John McNulty (U.S. Marine Corps) (also an Army DSC) Angel Mendez Raymond Murray (two awards and an Army DSC) Peter J. Ortiz (two awards) Rafael Peralta Edwin A. Pollock Lewis "Chesty" Puller, (five awards and an Army DSC) Paul A. Putnam John H. Quick (also an MOH and an Army DSC) Kenneth L. Reusser (two awards) John Ripley Harold C. Roberts (three awards) Ford O. Rogers James Roosevelt William H. Rupertus John H. Russell Jr. Al Schmid Harry Schmidt Harold G. Schrier Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr. (also an Army DSC) Robert Taplett Alexander Vandegrift (also an MOH) Lew Walt (two awards) Jim Webb John H. Yancey (two awards) George Yarborough, namesake of USS Yarborough (DD-314) Jeremiah Workman

United States Army

Stephen J. Chamberlin Rex T. Barber Thomas George Lanphier Jr. John W. Mitchell John U.D. Page

United States Coast Guard

Frederick C. Billard Raymond Evans Elmer Fowler Stone Philip F. Roach

Non-U.S. recipients

Nikolai Basistiy, Soviet Union (Soviet Navy, 1943) Gordon Bridson, New Zealand (Royal New Zealand Navy, 1943) Campbell Howard Buchanan, New Zealand (Royal New Zealand Navy, 1943) Ernesto Burzagli, Italy (Royal Italian Navy, 1919) Harold Farncomb, Australia (Royal Australian Navy, 1945) Israel Fisanovich, Soviet Union (Soviet Navy, 1944) Donald Gilbert Kennedy, New Zealand (British Solomon Islands Protectorate Defence Force, 1945) Seizō Kobayashi, Japan (Imperial Japanese Navy, 1921; 1925) Émile Henry Muselier, France (Free French Naval Forces, 1919) Peter Phipps, New Zealand (Royal New Zealand Navy, 1943) Ronald Niel Stuart, first Royal Navy officer to receive both the American Navy Cross and the British Victoria Cross (Royal Navy, 1927) Ivan Travkin, Soviet Union (Soviet Navy, 1942) Tran Van Bay, South Vietnam (Army of the Republic of Vietnam, 1967) Nguyen Van Kiet, South Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam Navy, 1972) Mikhail Vasilyevich Greshilov , Soviet Union (Soviet Navy, 1944)

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The Navy Cross was instituted in part due to the entrance of the United States into World War I. Many European nations had the custom of decorating heroes from other nations, but the Medal of Honor was the sole U.S. award for valor at the time. The Army instituted the Distinguished Service Cross and Distinguished Service Medal in 1918, while the Navy followed suit in 1919, retroactive to 6 April 1917. Originally, the Navy Cross was lower in precedence than the Medal of Honor and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, because it was awarded for both combat heroism and for "other distinguished service." Congress revised this on 7 August 1942, making the Navy Cross a combat-only decoration that follows the Medal of Honor in order of precedence. Since the medal was established, it has been awarded more than 6,300 times. It was designed by James Earle Fraser. Since the 11 September 2001 attacks the Navy Cross has been awarded 47 times, with two of them having the name of the recipient held in secret. One of those secret awardings was due to Marine Gunnery Sergeant Tate Jolly's actions during the 2012 Benghazi attack.

^ a b c d "The Navy Cross". Naval History and Heritage Command. January 17, 2018. Retrieved August 28, 2018.

^ Brook, Tom Vanden (5 December 2016). "Navy secretary recommends two Medals of Honor". NavyTimes. Retrieved 30 December 2016.

^ Scarborough, Rowen (25 January 2014). "Delta Force commando who saved 'numerous lives' in Benghazi seige honored". Washington Times. Retrieved 1 January 2017. Brook, Tom Vanden (16 May 2016). "Navy SEALs' secret medals reveal heroism over last 15 years". NavyTimes. Retrieved 1 January 2017.