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 Navy and Marine Corps' Navy Cross, the Air Force and Space Force's 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.
SURNAME
Dunlop
FORENAME
Johnston
UNIT
Company E,50th Infantry (LRP)
RANK
Staff Sergeant
NUMBER
514333339
AWARD
Distinguished Service Cross
PLACE
Vietnam
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
See roll of honour
SURNAME
Contreros
FORENAME
Albert Dionsio, Jr
UNIT
Company F,58th Infantry (LRP)
RANK
Sergeant
NUMBER
1182119
AWARD
Distinguished Service Cross
PLACE
Vietnam 1968 (posthumous)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
See Roll of Honour entry
SURNAME
Waymire
FORENAME
Jackie L.
UNIT
5 SF Group (Company B,Det A-218) (2 M.S.F.C.)
RANK
Sergeant
NUMBER
15688393
AWARD
Distinguished Service Cross,Bronze Star with V device,Army Commendation Medal
PLACE
South Vietnam 1966-67
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
KIA - see Roll of Honour
SURNAME
Walker
FORENAME
William Wayman
UNIT
5 SF Group (Company A,Det B-33)
RANK
Captain
NUMBER
258524875
AWARD
Distinguished Service Cross,Bronze Star with V device with 2 oak leaf clusters,Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
PLACE
South Vietnam 1970
ADDITIONAL...
SURNAME
Villarosa
FORENAME
Paul Herman
UNIT
5 SF Group (MACV- SOG - CCN) (FOB 4) (RT Intruder)
RANK
Sergeant First Class
NUMBER
19707581
AWARD
Distinguished Service Cross,Bronze Star
PLACE
Laos 1967-68
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
KIA - see Roll of Honour
SURNAME
Terry
FORENAME
Ronald Terrance
UNIT
5 SF Group (Company E,Det B-52) (Project Delta)
RANK
Staff Sergeant
NUMBER
12471604
AWARD
Distinguished Service Cross,Bronze Star
PLACE
South Vietnam 1964-66
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
awarded DSC for actions 9-14.12.1964
KIA 1966 - see Roll...
SURNAME
Stahl
FORENAME
Phillip Thomas
UNIT
5 SF Group (Det A-102)
RANK
Specialist Fifth Class
NUMBER
12638984
AWARD
Distinguished Service Cross
PLACE
South Vietnam 1966
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
KIA - see Roll of Honour
SURNAME
Lopez
FORENAME
John Edward,Jr
UNIT
5 SF Group (Company B,Det A-242)
RANK
Sergeant First Class
NUMBER
554547041
AWARD
Distinguished Service Cross
PLACE
South Vietnam 1969
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
KIA - see Roll of Honour
SURNAME
Cruz
FORENAME
Enrique Salas
UNIT
Company I (Ranger),75th Infantry
RANK
Staff Sergeant
NUMBER
10115778
AWARD
Distinguished Service Cross,Silver Star
PLACE
South Vietnam 1969
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
KIA - see Roll of Honour
SURNAME
Coyle
FORENAME
James Michael
UNIT
41 ARVN Ranger Bn,SD-5891,HQ MACV Advisors
RANK
First Lieutenant
NUMBER
0-93643
AWARD
Distinguished Service Cross
PLACE
South Vietnam 1964
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
KIA - see Roll of Honour
SURNAME
Rose
FORENAME
Gary Michael (Mike)
UNIT
5 SF Group (MACV-SOG) (Hatchet Force)
RANK
Sergeant
NUMBER
AWARD
Medal of Honor,Distinguished Service Cross,Bronze Star with V device
PLACE
Laos 1970
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Southern California
entered service 1967
Special...
SURNAME
Cote
FORENAME
Roger E.
UNIT
OSS Jedburgh Team Augustus
RANK
First Sergeant
NUMBER
11084219
AWARD
Distinguished Service Cross (US)
PLACE
France 1944
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
KIA - see Roll of Honour
SURNAME
Bonsall
FORENAME
John Halsey
UNIT
OSS Jedburgh Team Augustus
RANK
Major
NUMBER
0-413060
AWARD
Distinguished Service Cross,Purple Heart
PLACE
France 1944
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
KIA - see Roll of Honour
SURNAME
Sim
FORENAME
Alec M.
UNIT
1 Raider Bn (Company C)
RANK
Second Lieutenant
NUMBER
AWARD
Distinguished Service Cross
PLACE
New Georgia 1943
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
KIA - see Roll of Honour
SURNAME
Regan
FORENAME
William A.
UNIT
4 Raider Bn (Company Q)
RANK
Private First Class
NUMBER
AWARD
Distinguished Service Cross
PLACE
New Georgia 1943
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
KIA - see Roll of Honour
SURNAME
Phillips
FORENAME
Carl
UNIT
4 Raider Bn (Company P)
RANK
Sergeant
NUMBER
288293
AWARD
Distinguished Service Cross
PLACE
New Georgia 1943
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
KIA - see Roll of Honour
SURNAME
Maassen
FORENAME
Dale G.
UNIT
4 Raider Bn (Company Q)
RANK
Private First Class
NUMBER
457309
AWARD
Distinguished Service Cross
PLACE
New Georgia 1943
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
KIA - see Roll of Honour
SURNAME
Hash
FORENAME
Chester Dave
UNIT
4 Raider Bn (Company P)
RANK
Platoon Sergeant
NUMBER
272063
AWARD
Distinguished Service Cross
PLACE
New Georgia 1943
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
KIA - see Roll of Honour
SURNAME
Gilbert
FORENAME
Orra Eugene
UNIT
4 Raider Bn (Company P)
RANK
Platoon Sergeant
NUMBER
287343
AWARD
Distinguished Service Cross
PLACE
New Georgia 1943
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
KIA - see Roll of Honour
SURNAME
Easton
FORENAME
Charles S.
UNIT
4 Raider Bn (Company B)
RANK
Corporal
NUMBER
AWARD
Distinguished Service Cross
PLACE
New Georgia 1943
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
KIA - see Roll of Honour