Authorized with the passage of the Coast Guard Authorization Act on 10 October 2010, the establishment of the Coast Guard Cross provided the service with an equivalent to the Army’s Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy and Marine Corps Cross, and the Air Force Cross—i.e., an award for a display of heroism and gallantry in combat that exceeds the requirements of other medals, but which falls short of qualifying for the Medal of Honor.
The Coast Guard Cross is awarded by the President to Coast Guard personnel displaying extraordinary heroism while the Coast Guard is not operating under the Department of the Navy. To qualify for the award, Guardsmen must be while engaged in action against an enemy of the U.S. or in military operations as part of a conflict with an opposing foreign force or international terrorist group; they may also qualify for service with friendly forces that are engaged against an opposing armed force in a conflict in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
Since its establishment, no Coast Guard personnel have been awarded this decoration.