Distinguished Service Cross (United States)

Distinguished Service Cross
Type	Service cross medal
Awarded for	Extraordinary heroism in combat
Presented by	United States Department of the Army[1]
Eligibility	United States Army soldiers
Status	Currently awarded
First awarded	2 January 1918
Total	13,462[2]
Service Ribbon (above) Obverse of the original cross & Reverse of current cross (below)
Precedence
Next (higher)	Medal of Honor
Equivalent	Naval Service: Navy Cross Air and Space Forces: Air Force Cross Coast Guard: Coast Guard Cross Unit award: Presidential Unit Citation Civilian: Secretary of Defense Medal for Valor[3]
Next (lower)	Department of Defense: Defense Distinguished Service Medal Department of Homeland Security: Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal

The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) is the United States Army's second highest military decoration for soldiers who display extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree that they are above those required for all other U.S. combat decorations, but which do not meet the criteria for the Medal of Honor. The Army Distinguished Service Cross is equivalent to the Naval Services' Navy Cross, the Air and Space Forces' Air Force Cross, and the Coast Guard Cross. Prior to the creation of the Air Force Cross in 1960, airmen were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

The Distinguished Service Cross was first awarded during World War I. In addition, a number of awards were bestowed for actions which took place before World War I. In many cases, the medal was awarded to soldiers who had received a Certificate of Merit for gallantry; at the time, this certificate was the only other honor for gallantry the Army could present to combatants in lieu of a Medal of Honor. Others were furnished in belated recognition of actions which occurred in the Philippine–American War, during the Boxer Rebellion, and Pancho Villa Expedition.

The Distinguished Service Cross is distinct from the Distinguished Service Medal, which is awarded to Army soldiers in recognition of exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in a duty of great responsibility. The Distinguished Service Cross is only awarded for actions in combat, while the Distinguished Service Medal has no such restriction.