Definition

Proper noun: * A United States Navy decoration for extraordinary heroism against an armed enemy. It is the second-highest military decoration awarded for valor by the U.S. Department of the Navy, ranking just below the Medal of Honor.

Usage

The term "Navy Cross" is used as a singular, proper noun to refer to the specific award. It is always capitalized.

Examples

• The Marine was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his actions during the battle.
• Receiving the Navy Cross is a tremendous honor that recognizes exceptional courage under fire.
• The citation for his Navy Cross detailed how he saved the lives of his entire squad.

Advanced Usage

• The phrase "Navy Cross recipient" is commonly used to denote a person who has been awarded this decoration.
  • The ceremony honored several Navy Cross recipients from recent conflicts.

Variants and Related Words

• Service Cross: A general term for the second-highest military decoration for valor in various U.S. service branches (e.g., the Distinguished Service Cross for the Army, the Air Force Cross).
• Medal of Honor: The highest U.S. military decoration for valor, awarded for conspicuous gallantry at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.

Synonyms

• Decoration: A general term for a medal or award given as an honor.
• Award for valor: A phrase describing a decoration given for courageous action.

Related Phrases

• To be awarded the Navy Cross: The standard phrasing for receiving the honor.
  • He was awarded the Navy Cross for his leadership during the ambush.
• Navy Cross citation: The official document describing the heroic act for which the award was given.
  • We read the Navy Cross citation aloud during the memorial service.

Noun

1. a United States Navy decoration for extraordinary heroism against an armed enemy