
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 10USC6242]

 
                         TITLE 10--ARMED FORCES
 
                    Subtitle C--Navy and Marine Corps
 
                           PART II--PERSONNEL
 
                   CHAPTER 567--DECORATIONS AND AWARDS
 
Sec. 6242. Navy cross

    The President may award a Navy cross of appropriate design, with 
ribbons and appurtenances, to a person who, while serving in any 
capacity with the Navy or Marine Corps, distinguishes himself by 
extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a medal of honor--
        (1) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United 
    States;
        (2) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with 
    an opposing foreign force; or
        (3) while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an 
    armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United 
    States is not a belligerent party.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 389; Pub. L. 88-77, Sec. 2(2), July 
25, 1963, 77 Stat. 94.)

                                          Historical and Revision Notes
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
            Revised section                      Source (U.S. Code)            
   Source (Statutes at Large)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
6242..................................  34 U.S.C. 356.                       Fe
b. 4, 1919, ch. 14, Sec.  3, 40
                                                                              S
tat. 1056; renumbered Sec.  2 and
                                                                              a
mended Aug. 7, 1942, ch. 551,
                                                                              S
ec.  1, 56 Stat. 743.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------

    The word ``award'' is substituted for the word ``present'' to cover 
the determination of the recipient as well as the actual presenting of 
the decoration. The words ``but not in the name of Congress'' are 
omitted, since a decoration is presented in the name of Congress only if 
the law so directs. The words ``Navy or the Marine Corps'' are 
substituted for the words ``naval service of the United States'' for 
clarity. To be eligible for the award, a person need not be a member of 
the naval service, but only serving in some capacity either with the 
Navy or with the Marine Corps.


                               Amendments

    1963--Pub. L. 88-77 enlarged the authority to award the Navy cross, 
which was limited to those cases in which persons distinguished 
themselves in connection with military operations against an armed 
enemy, to permit its award for extraordinary heroism not justifying the 
award of a medal of honor, while engaged in an action against an enemy 
of the United States, while engaged in military operations involving 
conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly 
foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed 
force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
