The Distinguished Service Cross is the second-highest military decoration for valor, behind only the Medal of Honor. SSG Waiters' award was one of only two DSCs awarded to soldiers of the 2d Infantry Division since 1975.
SSG Waiters earned the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism during combat operations in Baqubah on April 5, 2007. The full citation details his actions during a complex engagement in which he demonstrated valor far above and beyond normal expectations.
Waiters had previously been wounded during the first deployment (OIF 2-3), earning a Purple Heart on July 3, 2004. He returned for the second deployment and was awarded the DSC for his actions in Baqubah.
SGT Jason R. Harkins — Posthumous Silver Star for actions during the May 6, 2007 engagement in Baqubah in which he was killed. Additional Silver Star recipients from the battalion are being documented.
Multiple soldiers across all three deployments received the Bronze Star with "V" device for valor in combat. A complete roster is being compiled from unit records and veteran accounts.
Several soldiers were wounded across multiple deployments, earning more than one Purple Heart:
| Name | Awards | Details |
|---|---|---|
| SGT Jacob Herring | 2 Purple Hearts | Wounded 8 Feb 2004. KIA 28 Apr 2004. Second award posthumous. |
| SSG Jesse Williams | 2 Purple Hearts | Wounded 14 Oct 2004 (Deployment 1). KIA 8 Apr 2007 (Deployment 2). |
| SSG Todd Selge | 2 Purple Hearts | Shot twice during Deployment 2 (2006–07). KIA 3 Sep 2009 (Deployment 3). |
| SSG Christopher Waiters | Purple Heart + DSC | Wounded 3 Jul 2004 (Deployment 1). DSC 5 Apr 2007 (Deployment 2). |