National Education Center
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Pacific Theater of Operation (PTO) | The area of military and administrative operations of US Armed Forces during the Pacific War of World War II. It was the primary site of the war between the Allies and Japan. Also referred to as the Pacific Theater/Theatre. |
| Picture Brides | Issei women who came to the United States from Japan to marry husbands whom they knew only from an exchange of photographs. |
| Platoon | A military tactical unit composed of three to four squads, and commanded by a Lieutenant. Smallest tactical unit with own weapons support. Numbered 1st, 2nd or 3rd platoon. |
| Presidential Unit Citation | The Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) is awarded to units of the US Armed Forces and allied nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or after December 7, 1941. According to the Department of Defense, the unit “must display such gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission as to set it apart from and above other units participating in the same campaign. The degree of heroism required is the same as that which would warrant award of a Distinguished Service Cross to an individual.” Prior to 1957, the PUC was known as the Distinguished Unit Citation. |
| Prisoner of War | A member of the armed forces of a nation who is taken by the enemy during combat. |
| Propaganda | The spreading of information, either true or false, for political purposes of helping or hindering an individual, group, cause, or organization. |
| Purple Heart | The oldest and most recognized US military decoration awarded to members of the US Armed Forces. The Purple Heart is a combat decoration awarded to those who are wounded in action by an instrument of war at the hands of an enemy. |