§ 7272. Distinguished-service cross: award

Statutory text

The President may award a distinguished-service cross of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, 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—

while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;

while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or

while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

Legislative history

Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.

1956
Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 215, § 3742 · 70A Stat. 215
Enacted · 10 U.S.C. § 7272
Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 215, § 3742
Source evidence
Code source credit
Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 215, § 3742
1963
Pub. L. 88–77 § 1(2) · 77 Stat. 93
Changed · 10 U.S.C. § 7272
Pub. L. 88–77 enlarged authority to award the distinguished-service cross, which was limited to those cases in which persons distinguished themselves in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, to permit its award for extraordinary heroism not justifying award of a medal of honor, while engaged in an action against an enemy of United States, while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which United States is not a belligerent party
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 88–77 enlarged authority to award the distinguished-service cross, which was limited to those cases in which persons distinguished themselves in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, to permit its award for extraordinary heroism not justifying award of a medal of honor, while engaged in an action against an enemy of United States, while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which United States is not a belligerent party.
Enacted provision · exact public law section
(1) Section 3741 is amended to read as follows: “§ 3741. Medal of Honor; award “The President may award, and present in the name of Congress, a medal of honor of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, to a person who, while a member of the Army, distinguished himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty— “(1) while engaged in an action Against an enemy of the United States; “(2) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or “(3) while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party,”
2018
John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019
Pub. L. 115–232 div. A title VIII § 808(b)(11) · 132 Stat. 1636
Changed · 10 U.S.C. § 7272
Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 3742 of this title as this section
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 3742 of this title as this section.
Enacted provision · exact public law section
(11) Chapter 357.— Each section in chapter 357 is redesignated so that the number of the section, as redesignated, is the number equal to the previous number plus 3,530.
Effective date note
Amendment by Pub. L. 115–232 effective Feb. 1, 2019, with provision for the coordination of amendments and special rule for certain redesignations, see section 800 of Pub. L. 115–232, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.

2 of 3 references resolved to an enrolled provision · 1 partial

Notes

historicalAndRevision

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
3742	10:1406.	July 9, 1918, ch. 143 (9th par. under “Ordnance Department”), 40 Stat. 870.

The words “but not in the name of Congress” are omitted as surplusage, since a medal is presented in the name of Congress only if the law so directs. The words “since the 6th day of April, 1917” are omitted as executed. The word “award” is substituted for the word “present” to cover the determination of the recipients as well as the actual presentation of the medal, and to conform to other sections of this chapter. The words “or herself” are omitted, since, under section 1 of title 1, words importing the masculine gender include the feminine. The words “or who shall hereafter distinguish” are omitted as surplusage.

Editorial Notes

Amendments1963–2018 · 2 rounds

2018

Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 3742 of this title as this section.

1963

Pub. L. 88–77 enlarged authority to award the distinguished-service cross, which was limited to those cases in which persons distinguished themselves in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, to permit its award for extraordinary heroism not justifying award of a medal of honor, while engaged in an action against an enemy of United States, while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which United States is not a belligerent party.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 115–232 effective Feb. 1, 2019, with provision for the coordination of amendments and special rule for certain redesignations, see section 800 of Pub. L. 115–232, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.

Credits

1956–2018 · 3 acts

1956Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 215, § 3742
1963Pub. L. 88–77, § 1(2), July 25, 1963, 77 Stat. 93
2018renumbered § 7272, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 808(b)(11), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1838.

Show as published

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 215, § 3742; Pub. L. 88–77, § 1(2), July 25, 1963, 77 Stat. 93; renumbered § 7272, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 808(b)(11), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1838.)