Created in 1994 and discontinued in 2003, the D.O.T. Outstanding Unit Citation honors United States Coast Guard units that carried out noteworthy service; it was the most prestigious award available to Coast Guard members at the unit level.
The award was presented for outstanding service in two terms: first, in various disasters and contingencies between October 1, 1993 and September 30, 1994; second, in the New York Guarding Liberty Task Force between September 11, 2001 and October 22, 2001.
The ribbon is white and is bisected by a thin vertical dark blue stripe; it features an additional, thinner stripe of orange adjacent to one of black toward each edge and black edging as well as a gold frame with a leaf pattern.
Subsequent awards may be indicated by service stars; service with the Guarding Liberty Task Force may warrant the Operational Distinguishing Device.