Awarded to combat and combat support units of the Armed Forces of the United States for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy of the U.S. while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the U.S. is not a belligerent party. It may also be awarded to cobelligerent nations with which the U.S. Forces are operating.

The VUA requires a lesser degree of gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps than that required for the PUC. Nevertheless, the unit must have performed with marked distinction under difficult and hazardous conditions in accomplishing its mission so as to set it apart from and above other units participating in the same conflict.

The award will normally be given for unit heroism for single or successive actions covering a relatively short period of time. Extended periods of combat duty or participation in a large number of operational missions, either ground or air, is not sufficient. Only on rare occasions will a unit larger than a battalion qualify for this award.