The
Presidential Unit Citation (
PUC), originally called the
Distinguished Unit Citation, is awarded to units of the
United States Armed Forces, and those of allied countries, for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy on or after 7 December 1941 (the date of the
Attack on Pearl Harbor and the start of American involvement in
World War II). The unit must display such gallantry, determination, and
esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions so as to set it apart from and above other units participating in the same campaign.