From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The
Distinguished Service Cross
(
abbreviation
DSC
) is the second highest
military award
that can be given to a member of the
United States Army
.
[a]
It is awarded for extreme
gallantry
and risk of life in actual
combat
with an armed
enemy
force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be above those required for all other U.S. combat
decorations
, but are not high enough for the
Medal of Honor
. The Distinguished Service Cross is the same as the
Navy Cross
(
Navy
and
Marine Corps
). The
Air Force
) has the
Air Force Cross
and the
Coast Guard
has the equivalent
Coast Guard Cross
. All are equivalent (equal) awards.
The Distinguished Service Cross was first
awarded
during
World War I
. In addition, a number of awards were made for actions before World War I. These were to
soldiers
who had received a 'Certificate of Merit' for gallantry. At the time the certificate was given it was the only other honor for gallantry the Army could award other than a Medal of Honor. Others were awarded for earlier actions
in the Philippines
,
on the Mexican Border
and during the
Boxer Rebellion
.
[2]
The Distinguished Service Cross may be awarded to any person serving in any capacity with the United States Army. The person must distinguish himself or herself by extraordinary
heroism
while engaged in an action against an
enemy
.
[3]
Or, while engaged in
military operations
involving conflict with an opposing/foreign force or while serving with friendly forces.
[3]
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.
[4]
But it is not sufficient to merit the Medal of Honor.
The Distinguished Service Cross is worn on the
uniform
after the Medal of Honor but before the
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
.
[5]
It is to be worn before the
Silver Star
.
[5]
When a second (or more) award is given an
oak leaf cluster
is added to the award.
[5]
- ↑
Before 26 July 1947 this included the
United States Army Air Forces
. After that date the Army Air force became the United States Air Force, a separate service.
[1]
- ↑
Charles A. Ravenstein,
The organization and lineage of the United States Air Force
(Washington DC: Office of Air Force History, United States Air Force, 1986), p. 10
- ↑
'Medals in Lieu of Brevets',
Army and Navy Register
, Vol 72, no. 2206 (28 October 1922), p. 410
- ↑
3.0
3.1
Frank C. Foster,
United States Army Medal, Badges and Insignias
(Fountain Inn, SC: MOA Press, 2011), p. 83
- ↑
578.10 Distinguished Service Cross
- ↑
5.0
5.1
5.2
Fred L. Borch III,
Medals for Soldiers and Airmen: Awards and Decorations of the United States
(Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, 2013), p. 105