U.S. Air Force
Outstanding Unit Award
Display Recognition

Site Index

      • Sample Display Recognition
      • Display Types
      • Issue Requirements
      • Issue Regulations
      • Who May Apply
      • Administration Processing and Delivery
      • How To Apply For This Display Recognition and/or Medal
      • Mailing Address
      • Questions?
      • Air Force Resource Guide
      • Search Air Force Unit Awards by Numbered Unit
      • Other Display Recognitions

        • Sample Display Recognition



        Who May Apply

        • Veteran recipients
        • Active Duty recipients
        • Family Members of recipients
        • Estate Inheritors

        Display Types

        You have three display types to choose from:
        Heavy Bond Enclosure
        or EnDurable Acrylux© Frame
        or Classic Deluxe Frame

        Heavy Bond Enclosure
        Colors: Regal, Black, Navy
        Trimmed in Appearance Gold

        Ready for Mantle or Shelf Display

        EnDurable Acrylux© Frame
        Colors: Chocolate Brown or Black
        Trimmed in Appearance Gold
        Ready for Wall or Shelf Display

        Classic Deluxe
        Color: Appearance Gold
        Ready for Wall or Shelf Display

        Issue Requirements
        You must submit the following:

      • An unaltered photocopy of your DD-214 or other military issued document clearly displaying your award of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.

      • Contact The War Library if you do not have a DD-214: 1-310-532-0634.

        • NOTICE

        This Display Recognition is available ONLY to authorized recipients who possess orders, or authorization form, or release documentation that confirms award eligibility. (See "Issue Requirements"). To obtain either a Display Medal or a Display Recognition for your authorized award you will be required to provide military-issued documentation authorizing your award. There are no exceptions.

        WARNING!
        You must NOT submit a military issued document or photocopy that:

        • has been altered in any way by you after
          the original's official issue
        • contains information or corrections or
          additions that you entered
        • lists awards or training you knowingly did not receive
        • contains highlighting, colorizing or other markings you entered

        Be advised that on request any knowingly fraudulent document sent by you will be released to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that may result in prosecution and/or fine/imprisonment.

        Email Questions, or Phone: 310-532-0634

        Personnel Branch
        Processing and Delivery

        Style Admin Shipping Total
        Heavy Bond Enclosure $19.00 $6.60 $25.60
        EnDurable Acrylux© Frame $21.00 $6.60 $27.60
        Classic Gold Frame $24.00 $8.60 $32.60

      • Total/Shipping fees, above, apply to 50 U.S. states
      • Contact The War Library for international shipping cost

        • How to Apply

        You may apply for your Display Recognition using a...

      • Check Debit card (* Shipped within 1 week)
      • Charge card (* Shipped within 1 week)
      • Personal, Business, Bank or Cashiers Check ( Shipped in 6 weeks)
      • Money Order (* Shipped within 1 week)

        • (* Upon reception of required documentation)

        Complete and MAIL this APPLICATION FORM.
        Don't forget to include an unaltered COPY of your DD-214 or other pre-arranged document(s).

        DISPLAY RECOGNITION and/or MEDAL APPLICATION FORM

        Mailing Address

        Records Chief (REC-AMW)
        The American War Library
        16907 Brighton Avenue
        Gardena CA 90247-5420

        Questions?

        Click here for answers to common questions

        Email: AFOUA Display Recognition Inquiry

        Telephone: 1-310-532-0634

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        Issue Regulations
        The United States Air Force
        Outstanding Unit Commendation Medal

        Establishing Authority

        The Outstanding Unit Award was established on January 6, 1954, by Secretary of the Air Force Harold E. Talbot.

        Effective Dates

        The Outstanding Unit Award has been in effect since January 6, 1954.

        Criteria

        The Outstanding Unit Award may be awarded by the Secretary of the Air Force to numbered units such as Air Forces, Air Divisions, Wings, Groups, and Squadrons and to Medical Facilities such as hospitals, clinics, and medical centers (whether or not they are numbered) for exceptionally meritorious service or exceptionally outstanding achievement that clearly sets the unit above and apart from similar units. Heroism may be involved, but is not essential. The service or achievement may be in any of the following areas:

        Performing exceptionally meritorious service of national or international significance.

        Accomplishing specific acts of outstanding achievement of national or international significance.

        Combat operations against an armed enemy of the United States.

        Military operations involving conflict with or exposure to hostile actions by an opposing foreign force.

        Order of Precedence

        The Outstanding Unit Award is worn after the Joint Meritorious Unit Award and before the Organizational Excellence Award.

        Devices

        Additional awards of the Outstanding Unit Award are denoted by oak leaf clusters. Effective November 15, 1961, Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards given for combat or direct combat support entitles the unit to have the letter "V" embroidered on its streamer and individuals to wear a bronze "V" device on the ribbon.