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Army Distinguished Service Cross Full Size Medal

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Sales price: $44.95

Army Distinguished Service Cross Full Size Medal

The Army Distinguished Service Cross was established under President Theodore Wilson in during World War I. It is an honor granted to a brave soldier who, while serving in any capacity in the U.S. Army displays extraordinary heroism so notable in the face of great risk to life as to set the individual apart from their comrades. The action may have taken place against an enemy of the United States in direct conflict or while serving with friendly foreign forces.

The Distinguished Service Cross is the highest combat decoration conferred, exceeding all others, but not meeting the requirement for receiving the Medal of Honor. Under exceptional situations, it is awarded to members outside the Armed Forces for wartime services only with the express approval of the President.

Until the Air Force established the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal in 1965, the Distinguished Service Cross was awarded to Air Force personnel demonstrating similar heroic acts meeting the award criteria.

Among the first award recipients in 1918 was General John J. Pershing, Commander General of the American Expeditionary Forces. Other prominent awardees include General Douglas MacArthur, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and the Hollywood director Frank Capra.

FULL SIZE MEDAL: 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. The cross is suspended from a ribbon measuring 1 3/8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes: 1/8 inch Old Glory Red; 1/16 inch White; 1 inch Imperial Blue; 1 1/16 inch White; and 1/8 inch Old Glory Red.

(Sec. 3743, 70A Stat. 216; 10 U.S.C. 3743). CRITERIA: The Distinguished Service Cross, 10 USC 3742, was established by Act of Congress 9 July 1918 (amended by act of 25 July 1963).