 SPOILER: The medal awarded to Snake at the end of the game is the  Distinguished Service Cross. The Distinguished Service Cross is  awarded to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the  Army, distinguishes himself or herself by extraordinary heroism not  justifying the award of a Medal of Honor; while engaged in an action  against an enemy of the United States; and/or while engaged in  military operations involving conflict with an opposing/foreign  force. The act or acts of heroism must have been so notable and have  involved risk of life so extraordinary as to set the individual  apart from his or her comrades. The main difference between this  award and a MoH is the number of witnesses required to verify the  incident; a MoH requires statements from 7 witnesses, a DSC only 3,  in this case Para