Distinguished Service Cross

Distinguished Service Cross. The Distinguished Service Cross is the second-highest United States Army award for valor, surpassed only by the Medal of Honor. It is awarded to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the United States Army, distinguishes themselves by extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of the Medal of Honor, while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States. The award is often given to United States Army Special Forces personnel, such as those serving with the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta and the 75th Ranger Regiment, as well as to personnel serving with the CIA's Special Activities Division during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

● History

The Distinguished Service Cross was established by President Woodrow Wilson on January 2, 1918, and is equivalent to the Navy Cross and the Air Force Cross. The first award of the Distinguished Service Cross was made to Private First Class Michael Valente, who served with the 26th Infantry Division during World War I. Other notable recipients of the award include General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, who received the award for his actions during the Battle of the Argonne Forest, and General George S. Patton, who received the award for his actions during the Battle of the Bulge. The award has also been given to personnel serving with the Office of Strategic Services during World War II, including William Joseph Donovan and Allen Welsh Dulles, who later became the director of the CIA.

● Eligibility

The Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the United States Army, distinguishes themselves by extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of the Medal of Honor, while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States. This includes personnel serving with the United States Army Reserve and the Army National Guard, as well as personnel serving with other branches of the United States Armed Forces who are attached to the United States Army. The award is often given to personnel serving in Special Operations Forces, such as the Green Berets and the Delta Force, as well as to personnel serving with the CIA's Special Activities Division during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The award has also been given to personnel serving with the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Hostage Rescue Team and the United States Secret Service's Counter Assault Team.

● Notable Recipients

Notable recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross include Audie Murphy, who received the award for his actions during the Colmar Pocket, and Alvin York, who received the award for his actions during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Other notable recipients include General Creighton Abrams, who received the award for his actions during the Battle of the Bulge, and General Norman Schwarzkopf Jr., who received the award for his actions during the Gulf War. The award has also been given to personnel serving with the British Special Air Service during Operation Desert Storm, including Andy McNab and Chris Ryan, as well as to personnel serving with the Australian Special Air Service Regiment during Operation Enduring Freedom. Other notable recipients include Daniel Inouye, who received the award for his actions during the Italian Campaign, and Bob Dole, who received the award for his actions during the Italian Campaign.

● Appearance

The Distinguished Service Cross is a bronze cross with a circular center containing the United States Army insignia, surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves. The cross is suspended from a ribbon with a red and white stripe, and is worn on the left side of the uniform. The award is often given with an oak leaf cluster, which is worn on the ribbon to denote subsequent awards. The award is also often given with a V Device, which is worn on the ribbon to denote valor. The Distinguished Service Cross is equivalent to the Navy Cross and the Air Force Cross, and is ranked below the Medal of Honor and above the Silver Star.

● Equivalent Awards

The Distinguished Service Cross is equivalent to the Navy Cross and the Air Force Cross, which are awarded to personnel serving with the United States Navy and the United States Air Force, respectively. The award is also equivalent to the Coast Guard Cross, which is awarded to personnel serving with the United States Coast Guard. The Distinguished Service Cross is ranked below the Medal of Honor and above the Silver Star, and is often given to personnel serving in Special Operations Forces, such as the Green Berets and the Delta Force. The award has also been given to personnel serving with the CIA's Special Activities Division during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, as well as to personnel serving with the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Hostage Rescue Team and the United States Secret Service's Counter Assault Team.

Category:Military awards and decorations of the United States