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FReeper Canteen ~ The Distinguished Service Cross (Army) ~ Aug. 15, 2005
Canteen Crew

Posted on 08/14/2005 6:53:21 PM PDT by StarCMC

 

 

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

 

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The Distinguished Service Cross

Establishing Authority

The Distinguished Service Cross was established by order of President Woodrow Wilson, as promulgated in War Department General Orders Number 6 of January 12, 1918, and formalized by Act of Congress on July 9, 1918 (Public Law 193, 65th Congress).

Effective Dates

The Distinguished Service Cross has been in effect since April 6, 1917; however, under certain circumstances the Distinguished Service Cross may be awarded for services rendered prior to April 6, 1917.

Criteria

The Distinguished Service Cross may awarded to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the Army, distinguishes himself by extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a Medal of Honor. This extraordinary heroism must take place while the individual is engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; or while he is engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while he is serving with friendly foreign forces that are 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 be so notable and involve risk of life so extraordinary as to set the individual apart from his comrades.

Order of Precedence

The Distinguished Service Cross is worn after the Medal of Honor and before all other decorations.


Devices

Additional awards are denoted by oak leaf clusters.

Designers

The Distinguished Service Cross was designed by First Lieutenant
Andre Smith and modified by Captain Aymar Embury, both of the Camouflage Section, 40th Engineers, at Camp American University. Embury's final design was sculpted by John R. Sinnock of the Philadelphia Mint.

First Recipients

The first awards of the Distinguished Service Cross were made on March 18, 1918, to three soldiers from the 1st Division: Second Lieutenant
John Newport Greene of the 6th Field Artillery and to Sergeant William M. Norton and Private Patrick Walsh,
both of Company I, 18th Infantry.

Description and Symbolism of the First Style Distinguished Service Cross


 



Obverse


The first style Distinguished Service Cross was struck in bronze and is one and seven-eighths inches in height and one and five-eighths inches wide. The suspender was originally part of the overall design of the medal; however, it proved unworkable and was replaced by a ball through which the suspension ring was passed. The central feature of the medal is an eagle centered on the cross over a four-pointed diamond outline with one point centered in each arm of the cross and with a five-pointed star at each point of the diamond. The eagle's wings are displayed and extend into the upper re-entrant angles of the cross. The arms of the cross are heavily decorated with oak leaves, and below the eagle in the lower re-entrant angles of the cross is a scroll bearing the inscription,
E PLURIBUS UNUM.

The eagle represents the bald eagle and symbolizes the United States. The five-pointed stars are taken from the United States flag and refer collectively to the United States, just as the inscription on the scroll refers to the fact that the United States is one nation composed of many states. The oak leaves stand for strength and courage. The inscription on the scroll is taken from the Great Seal of the United States and refers to the United States as one nation composed of many peoples.

Reverse

In the center of the cross is a rectangular plaque containing the inscription,
FOR VALOR. The plaque rests on a circular wreath of laurel leaves in the center of which appears a decorative staff. The laurel wreath represents victory and achievement.

Ribbon

 


The ribbon was designed by Captain
Andre Smith and has a central field of blue (one inch wide) edged in white and red, with the red forming the outermost colors of the ribbon. The colors of the ribbon are those of the flag and stand for purity (white), sacrifice (red), and high purpose (blue).

Description and Symbolism of the Second (Current) Style Distinguished Service Cross


Obverse

The second style Distinguished Service Cross is a modification of the first style; it has a sculptured inner cross mounted on a flat cross with decorative, fluted edges. At the end of each arm is a small ornamental scroll topped by a ball. An eagle with displayed wings is centered on the cross and behind the eagle is a circular wreath of laurel (which replaces the diamond in the first style cross). The laurel wreath is tied at its base by a scroll which extends into the lower re-entrant angles of the cross and contains, FOR VALOR.

Reverse

The reverse also features a sculptured inner cross on a flat cross, with the same decorations at the edges that appear on the obverse. The back and tips of the eagles wings are also shown. Centered upon the cross is a circular wreath of laurel with a bowknot at the bottom from which flows the back of the scroll, joining the arms of the cross. In the center of the wreath is a rectangular plaque with decorative edges, which is blank for engraving the recipient's name.

Ribbon

 


Same as for the first style Distinguished Service Cross.

Information found here.

Pilot honored — 33 years late

Army vet receives awards for acts of heroism in Vietnam

By Robert Burns
Associated Press

      WASHINGTON — From one former Army helicopter pilot to another, Gen. Richard Cody presented the military's second-highest award for valor on Friday to Stephen E. Lawrence in recognition of his exceptional acts of heroism during a harrowing rescue mission in Vietnam.
 

Image
Gen. Richard Cody, left, presents Stephen Lawrence with Distinguished Service Cross. "This is more than I ever expected," Lawrence said.

Lawrence Jackson, Associated Press
      The award was approved 33 years ago but never presented to Lawrence because of bureaucratic slip-ups.
      "This is more than I ever expected," Lawrence, 56, said in accepting the Distinguished Service Cross during a ceremony in the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes. "It may be a little late, but this is fabulous."
      Cody, a career helicopter aviator and now the vice chief of the Army, quoted chilling words from one of the men whom Lawrence rescued from a downed aircraft on Oct. 5, 1971, while braving enemy fire.
      "This is the one experience that I have relived hundreds of times in my dreams," the unidentified survivor was quoted as saying. "There was no doubt in my mind that I was going to die that day. I truly believed that anyone attempting to rescue us would also be facing certain death."
      Lawrence was 28 days from finishing his tour of duty in Vietnam with the 135th Aviation Company when, as the pilot of a UH-1M "Huey" helicopter gunship, he chose to attempt a rescue of another American helicopter that had gone down in flames in an enemy stronghold near the Cambodian border.
      According to the official Army citation, Lawrence twice landed his gunship near the burning aircraft before he and his crew managed to get the downed crew aboard and fly away under heavy fire.
      "Chief Warrant Officer Lawrence's utter disregard for his personal safety, his devotion to duty and outstanding flying expertise enabled the crews of both aircraft to return to safety," the citation says.
      Within days he had departed Vietnam, returned to Fort Lewis, Wash., and been discharged from the Army. He now lives in Clearwater, Fla.
      "Steve, what you did over three decades ago mattered very much to the people whose lives you saved and to generations of their loved ones," Cody said. It also matters to today's aviators, he said, and it was the kind of heroism that sparked Cody's own interest in an Army career.
      "Television images of gunship pilots like you flying in Vietnam inspired a young West Point cadet to be a gunship pilot. It was pilots like you that motivated me to be a pilot," he said.
      Before Lawrence left Vietnam his commanding officer told him that he intended to nominate him for the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest honor for military valor. That was the last Lawrence heard of the matter until last summer, when he had dinner with fellow Vietnam vet Roger Almquist, who was surprised to hear Lawrence had been awarded nothing beyond the Distinguished Flying Cross, which was presented to him two days after the rescue mission.
      Almquist decided that should not be allowed to stand. He began researching the matter and soon discovered that the completed paperwork for the Distinguished Service Cross, dated May 1, 1972, was in Lawrence's files in Army records at the National Archives. For unexplained reasons the Army never notified Lawrence of the award's approval.
      He remained in the Army National Guard for another seven years and served for 15 years in the Coast Guard, retiring from the Coast Guard Reserve in 1994.
      Lawrence is one of 846 soldiers who received the Distinguished Service Cross for Vietnam service, according to Army records. As far as he can tell, he never was nominated for the Medal of Honor.
      Looking back, Lawrence feels fortunate to have survived that last battle of his military career.
      "We were some lucky guys that day," he said.

 Link to story.

Please remember

The Canteen exists to support our military heroes serving all over the world and their families.  There are lots of places around Free Republic to talk about politics and debate your views.  Please try to keep it out of the Canteen.  We want to keep the Canteen a place where the guys and gals who are serving can sit down, kick their shoes off and relax and not have to keep their guard up. 
Thanks for your help! 
Now go out there and have FUN!!!!   
*HUGS!*

 

 

 

 



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KEYWORDS: airforce; army; canteen; coastguard; freepercanteen; marines; nationalguard; navy; tomkowstinks
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Our Troops Rock!!

1 posted on 08/14/2005 6:53:23 PM PDT by StarCMC
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; MoJo2001; Kathy in Alaska; Old Sarge; HiJinx; HopeandGlory; ...

Ping


2 posted on 08/14/2005 6:55:03 PM PDT by StarCMC (Old Sarge is my hero...doing it right in Iraq! Vaya con Dios, Sarge.)
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To: StarCMC; All
Good morning Troops, Veterans and Canteeners.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Thank you Troops for the Sacrifices you Make. . .God Bless You All.

Prayers going up.


3 posted on 08/14/2005 6:57:08 PM PDT by HopeandGlory (Hey, Liberals . . . PC died on 9/11 . . . GET USED TO IT!!!)
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To: StarCMC

Evening Star *HUGS* How are you?


4 posted on 08/14/2005 6:57:50 PM PDT by Cool Multiservice Soldier (Newer screen name, but same attitude, same political incorrectness since 1999.)
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To: StarCMC; The Sailor; txradioguy; Jet Jaguar; Defender2; Blue Scourge; Cool Multiservice Soldier; ...
Click on the pic and I'll guide you
to the start of today's thread





FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT

Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies military
and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.
CLICK HERE TO FIND LATEST THREAD.





Proud Patriots - Sending care packages, e-mails, and snail mail to US Military worldwide.
Proud Patriots is a group of private Americans who are working to ensure
that our brave military heroes receive the support we believe they deserve.


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TO ENTER PROUD PATRIOTS





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txradioguy
and his live Armed Forces Radio Show from Camp Casey in Korea




Spc. John Wollaston on Warrior Radio...Camp Casey!


CLICK FOR Current local times around the world

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txradioguy previously reported to the FR Canteen from the field in Iraq.

5 posted on 08/14/2005 6:58:31 PM PDT by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (Have you said Thank You to a service man or woman today?)
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To: StarCMC

MINE?

6 posted on 08/14/2005 6:58:53 PM PDT by Old Sarge (Follow Sarge on His Most Excellent Adventure - on Freerepublic.com!)
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To: Old Sarge; StarCMC


7 posted on 08/14/2005 7:00:19 PM PDT by Soaring Feather
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To: StarCMC

Thanks for today's thread!

PS Give the kids *HUGS* from me.


8 posted on 08/14/2005 7:00:31 PM PDT by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (Have you said Thank You to a service man or woman today?)
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To: StarCMC
Hey Star

Welcome Back From Problem Child 8 The Weekend at The Farm..How did it go with 8 Chittlens To entertain? Glad your Back We Missed Ya...
9 posted on 08/14/2005 7:01:33 PM PDT by GoldStarBrother (Don't Give Up Hope Moses Was A Basket Case Also!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
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To: HopeandGlory
FIRST!

10 posted on 08/14/2005 7:01:44 PM PDT by StarCMC (Old Sarge is my hero...doing it right in Iraq! Vaya con Dios, Sarge.)
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To: The Sailor; txradioguy; Jet Jaguar; Defender2; Blue Scourge; Cool Multiservice Soldier; ...




FYI : Look in upper right corner of "My Comments" page.
Set it for "Brief" instead of Full.
You only will get title of thread and who pinged you.
No graphics will load.

11 posted on 08/14/2005 7:02:31 PM PDT by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (Have you said Thank You to a service man or woman today?)
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To: Cool Multiservice Soldier

Hi CMS!! Relieved - back to only 4 kids. Whew!!


12 posted on 08/14/2005 7:03:03 PM PDT by StarCMC (Old Sarge is my hero...doing it right in Iraq! Vaya con Dios, Sarge.)
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To: Old Sarge

Hey Sarge

Glad to see ya in the Canteen... Thanks for your Service..What's the Skinny?

g


13 posted on 08/14/2005 7:03:54 PM PDT by GoldStarBrother (Don't Give Up Hope Moses Was A Basket Case Also!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
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To: Kathy in Alaska; MoJo2001; bentfeather; beachn4fun; Fawnn; StarCMC; MS.BEHAVIN; Bethbg79; ...
From the men in the Military and the Canteen


14 posted on 08/14/2005 7:04:02 PM PDT by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (Have you said Thank You to a service man or woman today?)
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To: Old Sarge

K for close!! SOOOOOO Good to see you!! *HUGS!* (And please be careful over there!!)


15 posted on 08/14/2005 7:04:03 PM PDT by StarCMC (Old Sarge is my hero...doing it right in Iraq! Vaya con Dios, Sarge.)
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub

You're welcome ~ and I will!!!


16 posted on 08/14/2005 7:04:46 PM PDT by StarCMC (Old Sarge is my hero...doing it right in Iraq! Vaya con Dios, Sarge.)
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To: All
To every service man or woman reading this thread.
Thank You for your service to our country.
No matter where you are stationed,
No matter what your job description
Know that we are are proud of each and everyone of you.


To our military readers, we remain steadfast in keeping the Canteen doors open.
The FR Canteen is Free Republics longest running daily thread specifically designed
to provide entertainment and morale support for the military.

The doors have been open since Oct 7 2001,
the day of the start of the war in Afghanistan.

We are indebted to you for your sacrifices for our Freedom.


FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT
Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies military
and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.
CLICK HERE TO FIND LATEST THREAD.



17 posted on 08/14/2005 7:05:18 PM PDT by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (Have you said Thank You to a service man or woman today?)
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To: StarCMC

Supporting our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen at more than 1,000 places across the U. S. and around the world.

~Tribute to Our Troops~


18 posted on 08/14/2005 7:05:45 PM PDT by AZamericonnie (~ www.ProudPatriots.org ~ coming soon ~Operation Semper Fi ~a field hospital~)
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To: GoldStarBrother

We all survived and I still have hair. But I need a drink! LOL!!! You know something's REALLY wrong when you're glad to ONLY have 4 kids! LMBO!!!


19 posted on 08/14/2005 7:05:47 PM PDT by StarCMC (Old Sarge is my hero...doing it right in Iraq! Vaya con Dios, Sarge.)
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub

What a beautiful picture of the little kitten and pink rose, Tonkin! Thank you and thank the other men and women in the military for all that y'all do for us!


20 posted on 08/14/2005 7:07:02 PM PDT by luvie (A BAD DAY FOR THE DIMS IS A GOOD DAY FOR THE COUNTRY!!!!!! GO BOLTON-CLEAN HOUSE AT THE UN!!! :o))
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