Editing Valorous Unit Award (section)

==Background==
As a result of a request from the Commander, USMACV, to expand the scope of the Meritorious Unit Commendation to include acts of valor, a review of the unit awards program was conducted in 1965. The study concluded that a gap did exist in the awards program. The Distinguished Unit Citation<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2008/julqtr/32cfr578.57.htm|title=Presidential Unit Citation.|website=edocket.access.gpo.gov}}</ref> (renamed Army Presidential Unit Citation on November 3, 1966)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Awards/army_presidential.aspx |title=Presidential Unit Citation |access-date=2010-07-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100314113256/http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Awards/army_presidential.aspx |archive-date=2010-03-14 |url-status=dead }}</ref> was awarded for gallantry in action for heroism that would warrant the Distinguished Service Cross for an individual. There was no lesser unit award for heroism. Based on the study, it was recommended the scope of the Meritorious Unit Commendation be expanded to include acts of heroism. The CSPER disapproved the recommendation and in a memorandum to the CSA, dated 7 January 1966, it recommended a Valorous Unit Award be adopted to signify unit gallantry in combat to a degree equivalent to that required for award of a [[Silver Star]] to an individual. The recommendation with the proposed design was approved by the Chief of Staff, Army, on 12 January 1966.

The Valorous Unit Award Emblem is awarded and worn by all members of the cited unit. The emblem is considered an individual decoration, and those members of the unit awarded the VUA continue to wear the emblem after they leave the unit. Other personnel assigned to the unit awarded the VUA who were not members of the unit during the time of action for the award, may wear the emblem to indicate the unit they serve in has received the VUA, but these members of the unit can no longer wear the emblem once they leave the unit.