What is Distinguished Service Cross (United States)?
[[File:Army distinguished service cross medal.png|thumb|right|150px|{{Center|The Distinguished Service Cross (current version)}}]] [[File:Distinguished Service Cross ribbon.svg|thumb|right|100px|{{Center|The DSC ribbon}}]] The '''Distinguished Service Cross''' ([[abbreviation]] '''DSC''') is the second highest [[Award|military award]] that can be given to a member of the [[United States Army]].{{efn| 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.<ref>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</ref>}} It is awarded for extreme [[Courage|gallantry]] and risk of life in actual [[:wikt:combat|combat]] with an armed [[enemy]] force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be above those required for all other U.S. combat [[medal|decorations]], but are not high enough for the [[Medal of Honor]]. The Distinguished Service Cross is the same as the [[Navy Cross]] ([[United States Navy|Navy]] and [[United States Marine Corps|Marine Corps]]). The [[United States Air Force|Air Force]]) has the [[Air Force Cross (United States)|Air Force Cross]] and the [[United States Coast Guard|Coast Guard]] has the equivalent [[Coast Guard Cross]]. All are equivalent (equal) awards. == History == The Distinguished Service Cross was first [[award]]ed during [[World War I]]. In addition, a number of awards were made for actions before World War I. These were to [[soldier]]s 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 [[Spanish-American War|in the Philippines]], [[Pancho Villa Expedition|on the Mexican Border]] and during the [[Boxer Rebellion]].<ref>'Medals in Lieu of Brevets', ''Army and Navy Register