United States. An Army Distinguished Service Cross Case, C.1918

Instituted in 1918. Hardshelled design on both the lid and base, dark brown dimpled paper exterior on five sides, the bottom with a thatched-look fabric covering, the convex lid with "D.S.C." stamped in gold-coloured ink near the opening, the inside lid lined in white satin and padded, a white fabric-wrapped cardboard insert placed within the base, with the medal bed also lined in white satin and padded, single-elongated hinge, push release closure, measuring 65 mm in width x 122 mm in length x 27 mm in depth, scuffing and/or wear evident on all sides of the dark brown exterior, undulation in the fabric covering on the bottom, very light wear evident in the fabric overlying the hinged area, two pinholes visible in the medal bed from the brooch pinback of the award, with very light soiling in the medal bed from the award itself, very fine.

Footnote: The Distinguished Service Cross was established by an Act of Congress on July 9, 1918 and amended by an Act of July 25, 1963. It is the second highest military award that can be given to a member of the United States Army (and previously the United States Air Force), for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual 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 do not meet the criteria for the Medal of Honor. The Distinguished Service Cross is equivalent to the Navy Cross (Navy and Marine Corps), the Air Force Cross (Air Force), and the Coast Guard Cross (Coast Guard). The Distinguished Service Cross was first awarded during the First World War. In addition, a number of awards were made for actions before the war. In many cases, these were to soldiers who had received a Certificate of Merit for gallantry which, at the time, was the only other honor for gallantry the Army could award, or recommend a Medal of Honor. Others were belated recognition of actions in the Philippines, during the Boxer Rebellion and on the Mexican Border. The Distinguished Service Cross is distinct from the Distinguished Service Medal, which is awarded to persons 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. The Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the Army (or in the Air Force before 1960), distinguishes himself or herself by extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a Medal of Honor; while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing/foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing Armed Force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. 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.