Distinguished Service Cross

Awarded for actions during the Korean War
The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Captain John Kyler Rhoads (AFSN: A0-756701), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Pilot of an RF-80 type aircraft, 45th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, FIFTH Air Force, in action against enemy forces in the over the Sinuij, Uiju, Sinanju Triangle of North Korea on 27 July 1953. On that date Captain Rhoads volunteered to fly over an extremely dangerous target to obtain photo intelligence of great importance to the United Nations. He was to photograph six airfield in the Sinuiju, Uiju, Sinanju triangle, one of the most heavily defended areas. After he had successfully photographed five of the assigned targets, his aircraft was struck by automatic weapons fire at an altitude of twelve thousand feet. Captain Rhoads' escort immediately warned him to bail out, since flames were trailing out two hundred feet behind his aircraft. Captain Rhoads ignored this imminent threat to his life, and after cutting off the fuel, attempted an air start. Again his escort warned him to bail out, but Captain Rhoads refused to abandon his aircraft, electing, at great risk to his life to attempt to return to base with the photographs he had taken. Captain Rhoads continued his efforts to start the engine until an explosion in the tail of the aircraft caused it to plummet to earth before he could bail out.

General Orders: Headquarters, Far East Air Forces: General Orders No. 372 (September 10, 1953)

Action Date: 27-Jul-53

Service: Air Force

Rank: Captain

Company: 45th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron

Regiment: 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing

Division: 5th Air Force

The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army (and previously, the United States Army Air Forces), for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree to be above those required for all other U.S. combat decorations but not meeting the criteria for the Medal of Honor. The Distinguished Service Cross is equivalent to the Navy Cross (Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard) and the Air Force Cross (Air Force).

The Distinguished Service Cross was first awarded during World War I. In addition, a number of awards were made for actions before World War I. In many cases, these were to soldiers who had received a Certificate of Merit for gallantry which, at the time, was the only other honor for gallantry the Army could award, or recommend a Medal of Honor. Others were belated recognition of actions in the Philippines, on the Mexican Border and during the Boxer Rebellion.

This decoration is distinct from the Distinguished Service Medal, which is awarded to persons in recognition of exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in a duty of great responsibility.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distinguished_Service_Cross_(United_States)

Rhoads, John Kyler, Capt