What is the difference between the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross?

To receive the Medal of Honor, for example, a recipient must have demonstrated “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.” The Distinguished Service Cross, the second-highest decoration that can be bestowed on an American soldier, requires “extraordinary heroism.” The …

Who gets a Distinguished Service Cross?

The Cross has been awarded to individuals taking part in major conflicts since the earliest days of America including the Spanish-American War, military campaigns in the Philippines,World War One, and many others.

How many people have won the Distinguished Service Cross?

There are over 1,700 recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, and Air Force Cross during the Vietnam War.

What is the most distinguished Medal?

Medal of Honor
1. Medal of Honor. The most prestigious of all U.S. military decorations, the Medal of Honor (sometimes informally called the “Congressional Medal of Honor”) is the highest medal any U.S. service member can receive.

What is the 2nd highest military Medal?

The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army (and previously, the United States Army Air Forces).

Why is the Distinguished Service Cross awarded?

The DSC is our Nation’s second highest award for military valor, behind only the Medal of Honor. The Distinguished Service Cross was established in 1918 to honor heroism of the highest degree that did not quite merit the Medal of Honor.

What is the rarest Medal?

The Victoria Cross is the ‘holy grail’ for medal collectors because there are only 1,357 in existence. Bearing the inscription ‘For valour’ and known as a VC, this medal was first awarded for ‘conspicuous bravery’ in 1856 and later backdated to the Crimean war of 1854.