While in command of a company of the 4th Infantry, 3rd Division, in the Boise-des-Nesles, on the night of July 14, 1918, Second Lieutenant Bolling earned the Distinguished Service Cross, the citation reading: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Alexander Russell Bolling (ASN: 0-7548), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 4th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, A.E.F., in Bois-de-Nesles, France, July 14 - 15, 1918.

[2][citation needed]Prior to World War I, Bolling was sent to Fort Bliss, Texas, where he chased Mexican Bandit Pancho Villa along with fellow Lt. George S. Patton.

Bolling commanded the 84th Infantry Division in the European Theater of Operations during World War II.

After the war, Bolling was promoted to lieutenant general in 1952 and assumed command of the Third United States Army.

Bolling's awards included the Distinguished Service Cross, Army Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart and the Order of the Red Banner and the Order of the Patriotic War First Class from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.