Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Navy Cross

Navy Cross

5 6.0
A medal given to people in the US Navy for very brave actions in battle
  • noun
  • /ˈneɪvi krɔs/
  • Formal
translation icon : Cruz de la Marina
  • That I served my country faithfully and honorably in World War II and was awarded the Navy Cross for actions in defense of my country.
  • awarded the Navy Cross
  • won the Navy Cross

Examples

  • He has earned six naval commendations, the Purple Heart, and the Navy Cross for heroism and valor.

    Fiction book (1997)

  • For his service, he was posthumously presented the Navy Cross and Purple Heart as per the following citation:

    Academic text (2007)

  • Dorie Miller was the first black American to be awarded the Navy Cross.

    Pearl Harbor (2001)

  • Three Marine NCOs were decorated with the Medal of Honor; three more won the Navy Cross.

    Academic text (1995)

  • Marlantes was awarded the Navy Cross for the incident, the Navy's second highest award for valor (only the Medal of Honor ranks higher).

    Academic text (2013)

  • The Medal of Honor dangled on the front of Earl's dress blue tunic, suspended on its ribbon next to the ribbons of war displayed across his left breast: five Battle Stars, his Navy Cross, his Unit Citations, and his Good Conduct Medal.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • He was awarded the Navy Cross for his bravery during the battle.

  • Dorie Miller received the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism in World War II.

  • My uncle earned the Navy Cross for his heroic actions while serving in combat.

Synonyms

Distinguished Service Cross
vsNavy Cross
  • Formal
2 6.8

A high military medal given to United States Army soldiers for very brave actions in battle

is the naval service equivalent awarding the same extraordinary heroism
Silver Star Medal
vsNavy Cross
  • Formal
1 5.7

An American military medal given for brave actions in battle

is reserved for a higher level of heroism in combat
Bronze Star Medal
vsNavy Cross
  • Formal
1 6.3

A United States military medal given for bravery or very good service in battle, not involving flying

is specifically for extraordinary heroism rather than general service or achievement

Surface Forms

Navy Cross singular
Navy Crosses plural

Morphology

navy + cross

A learner who knows 'navy' and 'cross' can infer this refers to something associated with the navy and likely cross-shaped or symbolic, so there is some compositional clue. However, the specific meaning — a formal U.S. military decoration awarded for extraordinary heroism — is specialized and culturally specific and cannot be fully predicted from the constituents alone.

Etymology

The noun Navy Cross comes from a medal given by the United States Navy that is shaped like a cross and is awarded to sailors for great bravery in battle. So, the name now means 'a very high award for great bravery in action'.