The Distinguished Service
Cross was established by President Woodrow Wilson on January 2, 1918.
General Pershing, Commander-in-Chief of the Expeditionary Forces in
France, had recommended that recognition other than the Medal of Honor,
be authorized for the Armed Forces of the United States for service
rendered, in like manner, to that awarded by the European Armies. The
request for establishment of the medal was forwarded from the Secretary
of War to the President in a letter dated December 28, 1917. The Act of
Congress establishing this award (193-65th Congress) dated
July 9, 1918 is contained in Title 10 United States Code (USC) 3742. The
establishment of the Distinguished Service Cross was promulgated in War
Department General Order No. 6, dated January 12, 1918.
b. The first design of the
Distinguished Service Cross was cast and manufactured by the United
States Mint at Philadelphia. The die was cast from the approved design
prepared by Lieutenant Aymar E. Embry, Engineers Officer Reserve Corps.
Upon examination of the first medals struck at the Mint, it was
considered advisable to make certain minor changes to add to the beauty
and the attractiveness of the medal. Due to the importance of the time
element involved in furnishing the decorations to General Pershing, one
hundred of the medals were struck from the original design and numbered
1 to 100. These medals were furnished with the provision that these
crosses be replaced when the supply of the second design was
accomplished which would also be numbered 1 to 100.
c. Title 10, USC 3991, provides
for a 10% increase in retired pay for enlisted personnel who have
retired with more than 20 years of service if they have been awarded the
Distinguished Service Cross.
d. Order of precedence and wear of
decorations is contained in Army Regulation (AR) 670-1. Policy for
awards, approving authority, supply, and issue of decorations is
contained in AR 600-8-22.
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