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Current Distinguished Service Cross

Original Distinguished Service Cross

Distinguished Service Cross Reverse

The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) is the second highest military decoration of the United States Army which is awarded for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions which merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree to be above those required for all other U.S. combat decorations but not meeting the criteria for the Medal of Honor. The Distinguished Service Cross is equivalent to the Navy Cross (Navy and Marine Corps) and the Air Force Cross (Air Force). Image File history File links RibbonDistSvcCross. ... Image File history File links RibbonDistSvcCross. ... Image File history File links DistSvcCross. ... Image File history File links DistSvcCross. ... Image File history File links DistSvcCrossIni. ... Image File history File links DistSvcCrossIni. ... Image File history File links DistSvcCrossRev. ... Image File history File links DistSvcCrossRev. ... Awards and decorations of the United States military are military decorations which recognize a service members service and personal accomplishments while a member of the United States armed forces. ... US Army Seal HHC, US Army Distinctive Unit Insignia The Army is the branch of the United States armed forces that has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ... The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States. ... The Navy Cross The Navy Cross is the second highest medal that can be awarded by the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. ... The United States Navy (USN) is the branch of the United States armed forces responsible for naval operations. ... United States Marine Corps Emblem The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the U.S. military. ... The Air Force Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Air Force. ... The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aviation branch of the United States armed forces. ...

The first recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross were three soldiers of the U.S. Army First Division, those being Second Lieutenant John Newport Greene of the 6th Field Artillery, as well as Sergeant William M. Norton and Private Patrick Walsh of Company I, 18th Infantry Regiment. Shoulder Patch of the United States Army 1st Infantry Division. ... Second Lieutenant is the lowest commissioned rank in many armed forces. ... This article is about the rank of sergeant. ... A private is a military soldier of the lowest military rank (equivalent to Nato Rank Grades OR-1 to OR-3 depending on the force served in). ... Patrick Walsh was born in Ballingarry, County Limerick, Ireland, January 1, 1840, died March 19, 1899. ...

This decoration should not be confused with the Distinguished Service Medal, which recognizes meritorious service to the government of the United States (as a senior military officer or government official) rather than individual acts of bravery (as a member of the United States Army). This article concerns Distinguished Service Medals which are issued by the United States of America. ...

Description

A cross of bronze, 2 inches in height and 1 13/16 inches in width with an eagle on the center and a scroll below the eagle bearing the inscription "FOR VALOR". On the reverse side, the center of the cross is circled by a wreath with a space for engraving the name of the recipient. Assorted ancient bronze castings found as part of a cache, probably intended for recycling. ...

Ribbon

The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes:

1. 1/8 inch Old Glory Red 67156;
2. 1/16 inch White 67101;
3. 1 inch Imperial Blue 67175;
4. 1/16 inch White;
5. and 1/8 inch Old Glory Red.

Criteria

The Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the Army, distinguishes himself or herself by extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a Medal of Honor; while engaged in an action against an enemy of the Unites States; 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 United States is not a belligerent party. The act or acts of heroism must have been so notable and have involved risk of life so extraordinary as to set the individual apart from his or her comrades.

Components

The following are authorized components of the Distinguished Service Cross:

1. Decoration (regular size): MIL-D-3943/4. NSN 8455-00-269-5745 for decoration set. NSN 8455-00-246-3827 for individual replacement medal.
2. Decoration (miniature size): MIL-D-3943/4. NSN 8455-00-996-50007.
3. Ribbon: MIL-R-11589/50. NSN 8455-00-252-9919.
4. Lapel Button (metal replica of ribbon bar): MIL-L-11484/1. NSN 8455-00-253-0808.

Background

The Distinguished Service Cross was established by President Woodrow Wilson on January 2, 1918. General Pershing, Commander-in-Chief of the Expeditionary Forces in France, had recommended that recognition other than the Medal of Honor, be authorized for the Armed Forces of the United States for service rendered, in like manner, to that awarded by the European Armies. The request for establishment of the medal was forwarded from the Secretary of War to the President in a letter dated December 28, 1917. The Act of Congress establishing this award (193-65th Congress) dated July 9, 1918 is contained in Title 10 United States Code (USC) 3742. The establishment of the Distinguished Service Cross was promulgated in War Department General Order No. 6, dated January 12, 1918. Thomas Woodrow Wilson (December 28, 1856 – February 3, 1924) was the 28th President of the United States (1913–1921). ... January 2 is the second day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States. ... December 28 is the 362nd day of the year (363rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 3 days remaining. ... 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. ... January 12 is the 12th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ...

The first design of the Distinguished Service Cross was cast and manufactured by the United States Mint at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The die was cast from the approved design prepared by Lieutenant Aymar E. Embry, Engineers Officer Reserve Corps. Upon examination of the first medals struck at the Mint, it was considered advisable to make certain minor changes to add to the beauty and the attractiveness of the medal. Due to the importance of the time element involved in furnishing the decorations to General Pershing, one hundred of the medals were struck from the original design and numbered 1 to 100. These medals were furnished with the provision that these crosses be replaced when the supply of the second design was accomplished which would also be numbered 1 to 100. Mrs. ... Independence Hall, as it appears today. ...

Title 10, USC 3991, provides for a 10% increase in retired pay for enlisted personnel who have retired with more than 20 years of service if they have been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

Order of precedence and wear of decorations is contained in Army Regulation (AR) 670-1. Policy for awards, approving authority, supply, and issue of decorations is contained in AR 600-8-22.

Notable recipients

• Richard Bong
• Douglas Campbell (with Oak Leaf Cluster)
• Mark W. Clark
• Daniel Daly, USMC
• William "Wild Bill" Donovan
• John L. Hines
• Courtney Hodges
• Douglas MacArthur (with Oak Leaf Cluster)
• Peyton C. March
• William "Billy" Mitchell
• Audie Murphy
• George S. Patton (with Oak Leaf Cluster)
• John J. "Black Jack" Pershing
• Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, USMC
• Keller E. Rockey, USMC
• Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.
• Oliver Smith, USMC
• Alvin York
• Richard Winters

Maj. ... Douglas Campbell (center) poses with fellow 94th Aero Squadron aviators Eddie Rickenbacker (l. ... Mark Wayne Clark (May 1, 1896 - April 17, 1984) was an American general during World War II and the Korean War. ... Sergeant Major Daniel Joseph Dan Daly (11 November 1873 – 28 April 1937) was a United States Marine. ... United States Marine Corps Emblem The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the U.S. military. ... William Donovan William Joseph Wild Bill Donovan (January 1, 1883 – February 8, 1959) was born in Buffalo, New York on New Years Day, 1883, and is best remembered today as wartime head of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). ... John Leonard Hines (May 21, 1868-October 13, 1968) served as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army from 1924 to 1926. ... Courtney Hicks Hodges (January 5, 1887 – January 16, 1966) was an American military officer, most prominent for his role in World War II, in which he commanded the U.S. First Army in Northwest Europe. ... General Douglas MacArthur aboard a battleship toward the end of World War II, 1945 Douglas MacArthur (26 January 1880 — 5 April 1964) was an American military leader credited with defeating the Japanese in World War II. He helped rebuild Japan after the war and played a key role in stopping... Peyton Conway March (December 27, 1864 - April 13, 1955) was an American soldier and Army Chief of Staff. ... Brigadier General Billy Mitchell, United States Army Air Service William L. (Billy) Mitchell (December 28, 1879–February 19, 1936) was an American general who is regarded as the father of the U.S. Air Force. ... Audie Leon Murphy (June 20, 1924 – May 28, 1971), was the United States most decorated combat soldier of World War II. He later became an actor and singer/songwriter. ... George S. Patton, Jr. ... General John Pershing John Joseph Black Jack Pershing (September 13, 1860 – July 15, 1948) was an officer in the United States Army. ... Chesty Puller Lieutenant General Lewis Burwell Chesty Puller (June 26, 1898 – October 11, 1971) was a United States Marine officer, notable as the most decorated Marine in history. ... Lieutenant General Keller E. Rockey (22 September 1888 – 6 June 1970) commanded the Fifth Marine Division in the battle of Iwo Jima in World War II and the Third Amphibious Corps during the occupation of North China following the war. ... Theodore Roosevelt. ... Categories: Korean War people | People stubs ... United States Marine Corps Emblem The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the U.S. military. ... Alvin Cullum York (December 13, 1887 – September 2, 1964) was a United States soldier, famous for his heroism in World War I. Sergeant Alvin York York was born in Pall Mall, Tennessee, the third of 11 children born to William York and the former Mary Elizabeth Brooks. ... Rank Major Organization 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment (Easy Company) 101st Airborne Division, United States Army Date of birth January 21, 1918 Place of birth Lancaster, Pennsylvania Entered service at Fort Benning, Georgia Awards Distinguished Service Cross for actions in the Brécourt Manor Assault. ...

External links

• army.mil: Distinguished Service Cross