Distinguished Service Cross Questions

[Regular122]

5 hours ago, peoplewhoknowme1 said:

Steve just a guess but  the DSC  on the left looks like a modern strike copy of a French style DSC manufactured recently ( let's call it in the last 20 years) then "kit bashed" as the kids call it or placed on a modern crimp brooch Graco Industries  ( I think that is what GI is) modern manufactured drape and pin. I would consider this a replica possibly.  I am not looking at the piece in hand but it looks like it has that clear enamel finish on it as well. Hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the reply. Could be a mash up of some kind I suppose.

 

I have little doubt the pendant is a much later strike than WWI or II, but it is not the normal materials for modern Chinese stuff or the brassier modern pendants. Seems coppery bronze and a nice crisp strike.

 

The ribbon set up is a D with a diagonal line / lightning bolt through it. And the ribbon does not glow and the hardware shows no signs of an older ribbon being added to it.  Never seen that marking on a Graco. I thought the 'GI' designation follows for all manufacturer markings from the 1960s I believe but they did not go from the 1/2" style to the 3/8" style until the 1990s? Graco would be marked 'GRACO - GI' on the 1/2" and some 3/8" and "G-27" on the 3/8" unless I am mistaken. Did GRACO ever use a D with diagonal line or bolt? I haven't seen it but whose mark is it--if it even is a legitimate GI mark?

 

Steve

 

 

[MalloryM]

I was recently given this box by the family of two WW1 veterans. Sadly, the DSC was not one of the medals included in the box, but the DSC ribbon was included. I'm new to researching medals. I would like to know if the serial number on the box matches the name of the soldier who was awarded the DSC. Is there an online resource that lists the serial number and the name of the soldier to whom it was awarded?

[USMCR79]

DSC No. 2457 was in a block where there is a gap in the records. The "Gap" with no records is between 2405 to 2501 with one exception No. 2448.

 

Medals that were transferred to the Marine Corps for living recipients were not recorded in the rolls due to clerical omissions.

 

 

[MalloryM]

2 hours ago, USMCR79 said:

DSC No. 2457 was in a block where there is a gap in the records. The "Gap" with no records is between 2405 to 2501 with one exception No. 2448.

 

Medals that were transferred to the Marine Corps for living recipients were not recorded in the rolls due to clerical omissions.

 

 

Thank you so much for this information! The soldier I'm researching served in the Army in Co. G of the 139th. Is there a place online where I can enter his name to search for his DSC No.?

[USMCR79]

If you give me his name I can look him up for you

[MalloryM]

9 minutes ago, USMCR79 said:

If you give me his name I can look him up for you

(Charles) Thomas Hopkins 

[USMCR79]

G.A. Hopkins No. 3740 - George A.

 

S.T. Hopkins No. 2704 - Stephen T.

 

W.T. Hopkins No. 2614 - William T.

 

No Medal number - Thomas Hopkins (KIA) - This could be your guy since no medal # is associated with him - He was 2nd Lt. 139th Infantry 35th Division from Wichita Kansas.

 

These are all the WWI DSC "Hopkins"

 

 

[MalloryM]

42 minutes ago, USMCR79 said:

G.A. Hopkins No. 3740 - George A.

 

S.T. Hopkins No. 2704 - Stephen T.

 

W.T. Hopkins No. 2614 - William T.

 

No Medal number - Thomas Hopkins (KIA) - This could be your guy since no medal # is associated with him - He was 2nd Lt. 139th Infantry 35th Division from Wichita Kansas.

 

These are all the WWI DSC "Hopkins"

 

 

Yes, Thomas Hopkins from Wichita is my guy. Do you think it's possible the box I have was for his medal, even though the numbers aren't able to be confirmed? It came from his family. I wonder why his number wasn't recorded in the rolls. Thanks for your help! Where are the names and numbers listed?

[USMCR79]

Rolls are in books that I bought 40 years ago thru the Orders and Medals Society of America - A great resource 

 

[USMCR79]

I think you have the box to his medal

[Brian R]

3 hours ago, USMCR79 said:

I think you have the box to his medal

Agreed. 

[jmpmstr]

On 4/6/2025 at 4:06 PM, Regular122 said:

 

Thanks for the reply. Could be a mash up of some kind I suppose.

 

I have little doubt the pendant is a much later strike than WWI or II, but it is not the normal materials for modern Chinese stuff or the brassier modern pendants. Seems coppery bronze and a nice crisp strike.

 

The ribbon set up is a D with a diagonal line / lightning bolt through it. And the ribbon does not glow and the hardware shows no signs of an older ribbon being added to it.  Never seen that marking on a Graco. I thought the 'GI' designation follows for all manufacturer markings from the 1960s I believe but they did not go from the 1/2" style to the 3/8" style until the 1990s? Graco would be marked 'GRACO - GI' on the 1/2" and some 3/8" and "G-27" on the 3/8" unless I am mistaken. Did GRACO ever use a D with diagonal line or bolt? I haven't seen it but whose mark is it--if it even is a legitimate GI mark?

 

Steve

 

 

Looks like the badge was treated to add patina to darken the shine; also I believe the D is Denmark...I'll have to look at one of my Lifesaving Medals marked similarly

[Regular122]

On 8/8/2025 at 4:39 PM, jmpmstr said:

Looks like the badge was treated to add patina to darken the shine; also I believe the D is Denmark...I'll have to look at one of my Lifesaving Medals marked similarly

 

On 8/8/2025 at 4:39 PM, jmpmstr said:

Looks like the badge was treated to add patina to darken the shine; also I believe the D is Denmark...I'll have to look at one of my Lifesaving Medals marked similarly

Thanks for checking. It has been a great mystery to me. It is a nice strike and the mark and ribbon seem legit. Just unusual that a first type would be offered after the GI codes were established but I suppose there were a fair number of WWI vets who may have wished to purchase such a pattern. Completely unknown mark to me.

[Big Iron]

On 7/31/2018 at 3:55 AM, MMcollector said:

Here is some information I compiled from the forum years back. If anyone can add or correct this information that would be great.

 

ARMY DISTINGUISHED CROSS MEDAL CONTRACTS:

1918 US Mint, 1 - 8000 (45* Wrap Brooch) (4000 block used for WW2)

BB&B, 8464 - 13116 (Slot Brooch)

1942 Medallic Art Co., 10001 - 11200 - (Slot Brooch)

US Mint, 13644 - 28870 (45* Wrap Brooch)

2/17/1945? Robbins Co., (Un-Numbered) (Black Slot Brooch)

9/18/1945? Robbins Co., (Un-Numbered) (Black Slot Brooch)

12/3/1945 Robbins Co. (Un-Numbered) (Black Slot Brooch)

 

I have this DSC stamped B B & B. What approximate time frame was it made? Its been worn as some of the details are worn smooth. I'm sorry if the photos appear sideways.

 

[Big Iron]

Triple tap, please delete...🫣

[Big Iron]

Triple tap, please delete...🫣

[Allan H.]

Your "BB&B" DSC is a fake and the stamping was done by someone to fool collectors. Bailey, Banks, and Biddle had very recognizable markings and did not individually hand stamp each letter like the one shown here. 

 

Interestingly enough, I can't say when I have seen a gilded pendant for a DSC. None of the ones made from WWI through WWII had a pendant with a gilt finish. They were all decidedly bronze in color. I don't recall seeing a DSC with a gold finish until the Vietnam era or later.

 

Allan

[Big Iron]

On 1/22/2026 at 6:37 AM, Allan H. said:

Your "BB&B" DSC is a fake and the stamping was done by someone to fool collectors. Bailey, Banks, and Biddle had very recognizable markings and did not individually hand stamp each letter like the one shown here. 

 

Interestingly enough, I can't say when I have seen a gilded pendant for a DSC. None of the ones made from WWI through WWII had a pendant with a gilt finish. They were all decidedly bronze in color. I don't recall seeing a DSC with a gold finish until the Vietnam era or later.

 

Allan

I don't know if I'd call it "gilded" as it may just be the light. Is there a way to identify what era this one was produced during? I've always thought WWII given the brooch and it has some wear to the details of the eagle. Too bad someone tried to jazz it up a bit with a stamp set. I bought it at the SOS in 2018, figured I'd finally ask about it.