The Navy Unit Commendation (NUC) is a unit award of the United States Navy that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December 1944. The ribbon is awarded by the Navy Secretary to any ship; aircraft wing, group, squadron, detachment or crew; or other unit of the United States Navy or Marine Corps which has since 6 December 1941 distinguished itself in action against the enemy with outstanding heroism but not sufficient to justify award of the U.S. Presidential Unit Citation. To be eligible for the award, the unit must have performed service of a character comparable to that which would merit the award of a Silver Star Medal in combat, or achievement of like caliber in a non-combat situation, to an individual. It is also awarded for non-combat service,