COAST GUARD CROSS; SILVER STAR MEDAL.

SEC. 224. COAST GUARD CROSS; SILVER STAR MEDAL.(a) Coast Guard Cross.—Chapter 13 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 491 the following new section:“§ 491a. Coast Guard cross “The President may award a Coast Guard cross of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the Coast Guard, when the Coast Guard is not operating under the Department of the Navy, distinguishes himself or herself by extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a medal of honor—“(1) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;124 STAT. 2922“(2) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force or international terrorist organization; or“(3) while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.” .(b) Silver Star Medal.—Such chapter is further amended—(1) by striking the designation and heading of section 492a and inserting the following:“§ 492b. Distinguished flying cross” ;and(2) by inserting after section 492 the following new section:“§ 492a. Silver star medal “The President may award a silver star medal of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the Coast Guard, when the Coast Guard is not operating under the Department of the Navy, is cited for gallantry in action that does not warrant a medal of honor or Coast Guard cross—“(1) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;“(2) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force or international terrorist organization; or“(3) while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.” .(c) Conforming Amendments.—Such chapter is further amended—(1) in section 494, by striking “distinguished service medal, distinguished flying cross,” and inserting “Coast Guard cross, distinguished service medal, silver star medal, distinguished flying cross,” in both places it appears;(2) in section 496—(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) of subsection (a), by striking “distinguished service medal, distinguished flying cross,” and inserting “Coast Guard cross, distinguished service medal, silver star medal, distinguished flying cross,”; and(B) in subsection (b)(2), by striking “distinguished service medal, distinguished flying cross,” and inserting “Coast Guard cross, distinguished service medal, silver star medal, distinguished flying cross,”; and(3) in section 497, by striking “distinguished service medal, distinguished flying cross,” and inserting “Coast Guard cross, distinguished service medal, silver star medal, distinguished flying cross,”.(d) Clerical Amendments.—The analysis at the beginning of such chapter is amended—(1) by inserting after the item relating to section 491 the following new item: “491a. Coast Guard cross.”. 124 STAT. 2923(2) by striking the item relating to section 492a and inserting the following new items: “492a. Silver star medal. “492b. Distinguished flying cross.”.