Original Item. Only One Available. This is an extremely scarce Distinguished Service Cross or DSC manufactured in France after the end of the First World War and into the 1920s. The DSC was authorized by Congress on July 9th, 1918, to be awarded for soldiers who display extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force. These French-made examples are highly sought after due to their unique design & scarcity.

The medal retains its original ribbon and brooch, the ribbon having great color with period stitching on the back. The back of the medal reads FOR VALOR.

Soon after the US Military issued the DSC, (December, 1918) the French began to sell it's own version to American troops. Because of the amount of time it took for the awards to reach France, many of the recipients went to shops and purchased their own awards. It is believed the some field commanders also purchased the French versions for presentation, until the US government issue reached the units for presentation.

During World War I, 6,309 awards of the Distinguished Service Cross were made to 6,185 recipients. Several dozen Army soldiers, as well as eight marines and two French Army officers, received two Distinguished Service Crosses.

This is an extremely scarce example, ready for further research and display with your WWI Collection.