Navy Cross Miniature is an original medal manufactured in the U.S.A. in accordance with appropriate U.S. Government specifications. 

The legacy of the U.S. Armed Forces veterans is highly protected and it is essential to the mission of USAMM. There are what we deem to be notably important and sacred awards. These awards are solely granted to military personnel for exceptional valor and heroism in combat and fall just short of the Medal of Honor. These awards are the following:

1. Army Distinguished Service Cross
2. Air Force Cross
3. Navy Cross

It is vital that we protect the legacy of these awards and their recipients.

The Navy Cross Medal (NC) is the second highest decoration of the United States Military and it is the highest presented by the Department of the Navy. It is meant to recognize any member of the Armed Forces who, while serving in active combat with members of the Navy, Marine corps or Coast Guard, has performed an exceedingly heroic act in the face of great personal danger that did not warrant a Medal of Honor. 

The action must have taken place under one of the following circumstances: While serving in active combat against enemy forces, while participating in a military operation against armed enemy forces, or while serving in armed conflict alongside allied forces against an opposing force when the United States is not the aggressor.

Description and symbolism of Navy Cross Medal:

Obverse: The medal is a modified cross pattée (heraldic form of a four-armed cross with expanding arms). The ends of its arms are rounded whereas a conventional cross patée has arms that are straight on the end. There are four laurel leaves with berries in each of the re-entrant arms of the cross. In the center of the cross, a sailing vessel is depicted on waves, sailing to the viewer's left. The vessel is a symbolic caravel of the type used between 1480 and 1500. Selected ship is the caravel because it was a symbol often used by the Naval Academy and because it represented both naval service and the tradition of the sea. The laurel leaves with berries refer to achievement.

Reverse: In the center of the medal, a bronze cross pattée, one and a half inches wide, are crossed anchors from the pre-1850 period, with cables attached. The letters USN are evident amid the anchors.

Wear miniature medals and breast insignia on civilian evening dress (white tie dress code) or civilian dinner dress (black tie dress code) in the same manner as for dinner dress uniform jackets.