Distinguished Service Cross (United States) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Distinguished Service Cross |
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| Presented by | United States Department of the Army |
The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) is the United States Army's second highest military award. It is given to soldiers who show incredible bravery in battle against an armed enemy. The actions that earn a DSC must be so brave that they are beyond what's needed for other U.S. combat awards, but not quite meeting the requirements for the Medal of Honor, which is the highest award.
The Army's Distinguished Service Cross is similar to other top bravery awards in other U.S. military branches. These include the Navy Cross for the Naval Services, the Air Force Cross for the Air and Space Forces, and the Coast Guard Cross. Before the Air Force Cross was created in 1960, airmen also received the Distinguished Service Cross.
The DSC was first given out during World War I. However, some awards were also given for brave actions that happened even before World War I. For example, some soldiers who had received a "Certificate of Merit" for their bravery were later given the DSC. This certificate was once the only other award for bravery the Army could give besides the Medal of Honor. Other DSCs were given later for actions in conflicts like the Philippine–American War, the Boxer Rebellion, and the Pancho Villa Expedition.
It's important to know that the Distinguished Service Cross is different from the Distinguished Service Medal. The Distinguished Service Medal is given for excellent service to the government in a very important job. The Distinguished Service Cross, however, is only given for brave actions during combat.
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What the Medal Looks Like
The Distinguished Service Cross is a bronze cross. It is about 2 inches (5 cm) tall and 1 and 13/16 inches (4.6 cm) wide. In the center, it has an eagle, and below the eagle, there's a scroll that says "FOR VALOR" (which means "for bravery"). On the back of the cross, there's a circle surrounded by a wreath, where the name of the person who received the medal can be engraved.
The Service Ribbon
The service ribbon for the DSC is 1 and 3/8 inches (35 mm) wide. It has these colored stripes:
- A red stripe (1/8 inch or 3 mm)
- A white stripe (1/16 inch or 1.6 mm)
- A blue stripe (1 inch or 25 mm)
- Another white stripe (1/16 inch or 1.6 mm)
- Another red stripe (1/8 inch or 3 mm)
Who Receives the DSC
The Distinguished Service Cross is given to a person serving with the Army (or the Air Force before 1960). They must have shown extraordinary heroism that is not quite enough for the Medal of Honor. This bravery must happen in one of these situations:
- While fighting against an enemy of the United States.
- During military operations that involve conflict with an opposing or foreign force.
- While serving with friendly foreign forces who are fighting an armed conflict, even if the United States is not directly involved.
The heroic act or acts must be so remarkable and involve such an extreme risk of life that the person stands out from their comrades.
Parts of the Award
When someone receives the Distinguished Service Cross, they get several items:
- The full-size medal.
- A smaller, miniature version of the medal.
- The service ribbon, which is worn on uniforms.
- A lapel button, which is a small colored replica of the service ribbon.
If a soldier receives the Distinguished Service Cross more than once, each additional award is shown with oak leaf clusters attached to the ribbon.
History of the Award
President Woodrow Wilson officially created the Distinguished Service Cross on January 2, 1918. General John J. Pershing, who was the Commander-in-Chief of the American forces in France during World War I, had suggested that the United States Army needed an award for bravery that was different from the Medal of Honor. He wanted something similar to the bravery awards given by European armies.
The first design for the Distinguished Service Cross was made by Captain Aymar Embury II and Lieutenant J. Andre Smith. The first medals were made by the United States Mint. Minor changes were later made to make the medal look even better.
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest U.S. military decoration, right after the Medal of Honor. This means it is a very important award.
Notable Awarding History
The Distinguished Service Cross has been awarded to many brave soldiers throughout history.
World War I Heroes
During World War I, over 6,300 Distinguished Service Crosses were given out. Some soldiers received the award more than once. For example, Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, who was the top U.S. ace (a pilot who shot down many enemy planes) of the war, received a record eight Distinguished Service Crosses. One of these was later changed to the Medal of Honor. Other famous aviators like Captain Douglas Campbell and First Lieutenant Frank O'Driscoll Hunter each received five DSCs.
Some soldiers who had already received the Medal of Honor were also given the Distinguished Service Cross in World War I. This includes Marine Corps legend, Sergeant Major Daniel Daly, who received the DSC for his heroism during the Battle of Belleau Wood.
Two famous leaders who received the Distinguished Service Cross in World War I later earned the Medal of Honor in World War II: Major Theodore Roosevelt Jr., son of a former president, and Brigadier General Douglas MacArthur. Other notable recipients from World War I who became famous later include George S. Patton Jr. and Carl Spaatz.
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Between the World Wars
After World War I, about 62 DSCs were given for actions in Russia. Also, about 132 awards were given for brave actions that happened in earlier conflicts, like the Indian Wars and the Spanish–American War.
World War II Heroes
During World War II, over 5,000 Distinguished Service Crosses were awarded. Lieutenant Colonel John C. Meyer, Major General James A. Van Fleet, and Master Sergeant Llewellyn Chilson each received the award three times. Jeannette Guyot and Virginia Hall were the only two women to receive the award.
Many soldiers received the DSC in World War II after having received it in earlier conflicts. For example, George S. Patton Jr. received his second DSC as the commanding general of the Seventh United States Army in Sicily.
Some very famous soldiers received both the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross in World War II. These include Douglas MacArthur, Audie Murphy, and Richard I. Bong.
General Paul Tibbets, who commanded the plane that dropped the first nuclear bomb on Hiroshima, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
Korean War Heroes
In the Korean War, over 800 DSCs were awarded. More than 300 of these were given after the soldier had died (posthumously).
Some soldiers, like Lloyd L. "Scooter" Burke and Lewis Millett, earned both the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross in Korea. Colonel Arthur S. Champeny received his third Distinguished Service Cross in Korea, making him the only person to receive the DSC in three different conflicts (World War I, World War II, and Korea).
Vietnam War Heroes
Over 1,000 Distinguished Service Crosses were awarded in the Vietnam War, with almost 400 being posthumous.
Patrick Brady and Robert L. Howard received both the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross in Vietnam. Major General Keith L. Ware, who had earned the Medal of Honor in World War II, received a posthumous DSC in Vietnam.
Lieutenant General James F. Hollingsworth received three Distinguished Service Crosses, one in World War II and two in Vietnam. Sergeant Adelbert Waldron III, a sniper, received two DSCs in 1969 and is known for having the most confirmed kills among U.S. snipers.
Many DSC recipients from Vietnam later became very high-ranking generals, including John W. Vessey Jr., who became Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Alexander M. Haig Jr., who became Secretary of State.
The actions of four members of the 1st Cavalry Division during the Battle of Ia Drang Valley in November 1965 earned them Distinguished Service Crosses. These included Lt. Col. Hal Moore and Major Bruce Crandall. Their story was later shown in the film "We Were Soldiers". Crandall's DSC was later upgraded to the Medal of Honor.
Recent Awards (1975 to Present)
After the Vietnam War, the Distinguished Service Cross has continued to be awarded for bravery in more recent conflicts. As of December 2018, it has been awarded 16 times for actions during Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan. As of March 2013, it has been awarded 13 times for actions during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
For example, Major Mark E. Mitchell received the DSC for leading his team to free an American captive in Afghanistan in 2001. Master Sergeant Brendan W. O'Connor received it in 2006 for risking his life to help wounded teammates while under fire.
Notable Recipients
Many brave individuals have received the Distinguished Service Cross. Here are some of the most well-known:
| Name | Service | Rank | Repeat DSC | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creighton W. Abrams Jr. | US Army | GEN | with one Oak Leaf Cluster | Later became Army Chief of Staff. |
| Vernon Baker | US Army | 1LT | His DSC was later upgraded to the Medal of Honor. | |
| Richard Bong | US Army Air Forces | MAJ | Medal of Honor recipient and top flying ace with 40 confirmed aerial victories. | |
| Maurice Britt | US Army | CPT | Also a Medal of Honor recipient. | |
| John D. Bulkeley | US Navy | VADM | Also received the Medal of Honor and Navy Cross. | |
| Douglas Campbell | US Army Air Service | with four Oak Leaf Clusters | A World War I flying ace. | |
| Richard Cavazos | US Army | GEN | with one Oak Leaf Cluster | The first Hispanic four-star general. |
| Arthur S. Champeny | US Army | with two Oak leaf Clusters | The only person to receive the DSC in three different conflicts: WWI, WWII, and Korean War. | |
| Mark W. Clark | US Army | GEN | Commander of the 5th Army Group in World War II. | |
| William J. "Wild Bill" Donovan | US Army | MG | Director of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during WWII. | |
| Sam Ervin | US Army | PVT | Later became a U.S. Senator and chairman of the Watergate hearings. | |
| James M. Gavin | US Army | LTG | with one Oak Leaf Cluster | A famous paratrooper general in World War II. |
| Alexander Haig | US Army | GEN | Later became U.S. Secretary of State. | |
| Henry Johnson | US Army | SGT | His DSC was later upgraded to the Medal of Honor; an African American soldier in WWI. | |
| Douglas MacArthur | US Army | GA | with two Oak Leaf Clusters | A very famous general, also received the Medal of Honor. |
| Audie Murphy | US Army | MAJ | The most decorated U.S. combat soldier of World War II, also a Medal of Honor recipient. | |
| George S. Patton | US Army | GEN | with one Oak Leaf Cluster | A legendary general in World War II. |
| John J. Pershing | US Army | GAS | Commander of the American Expeditionary Force in WWI and Army Chief of Staff. | |
| Chesty Puller | US Marine Corps | LtGen | A Marine Corps legend, received five Navy Crosses. | |
| Eddie Rickenbacker | US Army Air Service | CPT | with six Oak Leaf Clusters | A top U.S. flying ace in WWI; one of his DSCs was upgraded to the Medal of Honor. |
| Matthew B. Ridgway | US Army | GEN | with one Oak Leaf Cluster | Later became Army Chief of Staff and NATO Supreme Allied Commander. |
| Theodore Roosevelt Jr. | US Army | BG | Also a Medal of Honor recipient, son of President Theodore Roosevelt. | |
| Joseph Stilwell | US Army | GEN | Commander of the China Burma India Theater in WWII. | |
| James A. Van Fleet | US Army | GEN | with two Oak Leaf Clusters | Commanded the Eighth Army in Korea. |
| Richard Winters | US Army | MAJ | A famous officer from "Band of Brothers" who led Easy Company on D-Day. | |
| Alvin York | US Army | MAJ | His DSC was later upgraded to the Medal of Honor, a famous WWI hero. |
When Awards Are Changed or Removed
Sometimes, a Distinguished Service Cross award is later changed or removed. This usually happens for a few reasons:
- The award was upgraded to the Medal of Honor.
- The same person received two awards for the exact same brave action by mistake.
- The award needed to be reissued with a new or corrected description.
One famous example is Alvin York, a World War I hero, whose DSC was upgraded to the Medal of Honor. Similarly, Eddie Rickenbacker originally received eight DSCs, but one was upgraded to the Medal of Honor in 1930. In 1980, MSG Roy P. Benavidez had his Vietnam-era DSC upgraded to the Medal of Honor.
Sometimes, reviews are done to make sure awards were given fairly. For example, in the 1990s, the Army reviewed awards for black soldiers in World War II. As a result, in 1997, six DSCs given to black soldiers were upgraded to the Medal of Honor, including for Vernon Baker. Later, similar reviews led to DSCs for Asian-American and Hispanic-American veterans being upgraded to the Medal of Honor. This included U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye.
In Spanish: Cruz por Servicio Distinguido (Estados Unidos) para niños
