ORIGINAL U.S. DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS FOR EDDIE DOLENC

This is the original US Distinguished Service Cross in bronze with it’s original ribbon, ribbon bar and extra ribbon for the bar, along with its display case for American Technical Sergeant, Eddie Dolenc (ASN: 38083443).  See below for information for the issue of this medal as shown on the Military Medals database.

The distinguished Service Cross (DSC) is a prestigious military award first established in WW1 by President Woodrow Wilson.  It was created to honour extraordinary heroism in combat, specifically for acts of valour that does not meet the criteria for the Medal of Honor.  It is the second highest military award for valour.

It is a cross of bronze approximately 5.1 cm high (2”) and 466 cm wide (1 13/16”) with an eagle in the center and a scroll below the eale bearing the inscription “FOR VALOR”.  On the reverse side, in the center of the cross which is circled by a wreath is engraved the recipients name, Eddie Dolenc.

Recipients Information:

Service:

United States Army

Rank:

Technical Sergeant

Batallion:

1st Battalion

Regiment:

394th Infantry Regiment

Division:

99th Infantry Division

Action Date:

December 16, 1944

Headquarters, FIRST U.S. Army, General Orders No. 16 (January 25, 1945)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Technical Sergeant Eddie Dolenc (ASN: 38083443), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with an Infantry Company of the 1st Battalion, 394th Infantry Regiment, 99th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 16 December 1944, in Germany. Upon observing that the left flank position of his platoon had been cut off by the enemy, Technical Sergeant Dolenc made his way to the company command post where he secured a machine gun. With complete disregard for his own safety, he moved toward the enemy and, under the covering fire of three comrades, mounted his weapon in plain view of the enemy. As the enemy advanced toward him, Technical Sergeant Dolenc heroically fired his machine gun in free traverse, killing or wounding an estimated thirty Germans and forcing the remainder to withdraw. During a lull in the firefight, Technical Sergeant Dolenc ordered his comrades to rejoin his platoon while he remained alone in his precarious position. The enemy launched a vicious assault upon him, but Technical Sergeant Dolenc remained steadfast and was last seen pouring a hail of bullets into the charging Germans. Sergeant Dolenc’s indomitable fighting spirit, great personal bravery and unflinching devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 99th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

Born:  March 11, 1916
Died: December 20, 2006 (Age 90)
at Lake Isabella, Kern County, California, U.S.A.