This study examines how organizational identification relates to unethical pro-organizational behavior (UPB) in public organizations and investigates the moderating role of courage. Courage is conceptualized in this study as a psychological disposition characterized by persistence in the face of fear, consistent with the operational definition, rather than as a moral virtue per se. Using survey data from 196 public employees in Türkiye, a context characterized by high collectivism, power distance, and uncertainty avoidance, the hypotheses were tested through regression and moderation analysis. The results indicate that organizational identification is positively associated with UPB. Courage moderates this relationship such that individuals with higher courage are more likely to engage in UPB across all levels of identification. These findings extend social identity and trait activation theories by highlighting how a dispositional trait—courage as persistence despite fear—can amplify the propensity for UPB by reducing the inhibitory effect of perceived risk. The theoretical contributions and practical implications for organizational management are discussed.