Bravery Award
Mention in Dispatches
this image illustrates the MID was awarded during Viet Nam service. This
is award is always attached to ribbon applicable to when the award
was made.
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Information about the award
VICTORIA
CROSS (ALL)
Ever since
its institution the Cross has been supplied by the well-known London
jewelers, Messrs. Hancocks and Co., now of Burlington Gardens London.
The Cross and suspender are first cast in gunmetal and then chased
and finished by hand; from 1914 to 1950 a die-cast suspender was
used. The metal is taken from guns captured from the Russians in
the Crimean War although during and after the First World War it
is fairly certain that metal from captured Chinese guns was used
for a short period. The components of the decoration are then treated
chemically to obtain the uniform dark brown finish which is darker
on some issues than on others.
DISTINGUISHED
SERVICE ORDER
The DSO was instituted
in 1886 in order to fill a gap that had long existed in rewarding
officers below the rank of major for distinguishing themselves on
active service; previously, the CB was the only possible award,
and was very rarely issued to junior officers. The DSO was to be
awarded to both the Army and the Navy. The first issue of the DSO
was in gold, and these were awarded between 1886 and 1890. After
1890 the award was issued in silver-gilt .The reverse has carried
four variations of the crown in the center and there are six types
of reverse - VR, EVIIR, GVR, GVIR first and second types, and EIIR.
The DSO has always been issued unnamed, although from about 1940
the year of award has been engraved on the reverse of the lower
suspension bar There are generally no citations in the London Gazette
for DSOs before 1914, though reference to dispatches and regimental
histories may give a better picture of precisely why the award was
made. In the First World War, many DSOs carry a specific citation,
but there are periodic lists of recipients without citations.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
CROSS
Instituted in June
1901 as a reward for Warrant and Subordinate officers of the Royal
Navy, as these ranks were not eligible to receive the DSO. Originally
called the Conspicuous Service Cross. In October 1914 there were
two major changes to the CSC; firstly it was renamed the Distinguished
Service Cross, and secondly the rules on eligibility were changed
so that officers below the rank of Lieutenant Commander could receive
it. In 1931 the Merchant Navy was made eligible for the DSC in certain
circumstances. There are five types of obverse; EVIIR {on the CSC),
GVR, GVIR first and second types and EIIR. The reverse of the DSC
is common to all issues, but from 1940 onwards the year of award
was engraved on the lower limb. All recipients are listed in the
London Gazette
DISTINGUISHED
CONDUCT MEDAL
Instituted in 1854
to for "distinguished, gallant and good conduct" by troops
in the Crimea. At first intended to be issued on a quota basis for
each regiment, due to the fixed amount of money available for the
accompanying annuity. There are eight issues, all having a common
reverse: VR, EV I I R, GV R, GV R crowned head, GVIR first and second
types, EIIR first and second types. All issued DCMs are named, and
there are a variety of types of naming; however, virtually all awards
since 1914 are impressed. Two types of second award bars have been
issued; the first type has the date of the second award on it, with
the second type being plain. The early dated bars are rare. There
are generally no citations in the London Gazette for DCMs before
1914. After 1914, most DCMs appear in the London Gazette with a
citation, although there are periodic lists of recipients, which
do not include citations.
CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY
MEDAL
Instituted in 1855
as a reward for gallantry for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines,
and intended to be a counterpart to the DCM for the Army. The first
issue was made to ten recipients for gallantry in the Baltic and
Crimea. These medals had the date '1848' on the obverse under the
Queen's bust. The naming was in engraved serif capitals. the medal
was issued with the following obverses; Victoria (without date),
EVIIR, GVR, and GVIR. From 1901, nearly all CGMs have citations.
MILITARY
CROSS
Instituted in December
1914 as a reward for gallantry for officers of the rank of Captain
or below, and for warrant officers. The reverse of the MC is common
to all issues, and is usually plain. From 1940 onwards the date
of award was engraved on the lower limb of the reverse. There are
four different obverse issues; GVR, GVIR first and second types,
and EIIR. The MC was always issued unnamed, although some recipients
had the reverse engraved privately. A bar was awarded for each further
award of the Cross. All awards of the MC are listed in the London
Gazette
DISTINGUISHED FLYING
CROSS
The DFC was instituted in 1918 as an award
to officers and warrant officers who displayed courage or devotion
to duty whilst flying in active operations. The design of the obverse
is common to all issues whilst the reverse center has one of four
ciphers; GVR, GVIR first type GRI, second type GVIR), and EIIR.
MILITARY MEDAL
Instituted in March
1916 as an award for NCOs and men of the Army for acts of bravery
and Later extended to women who showed bravery under fire. A bar
is awarded for each further act of bravery. There are six obverse
types: GVR, GVR crowned head, GVIR first and second types, and EIIR
first and second types. In addition, there are four different reverses
in that each monarch had the relevant cipher in the reverse field.
All MMs issued to British personnel are named, usually in impressed
capitals. All issued MMs have a notification in the London Gazette.
MENTION IN DISPATCHES
(ALL)
The Mention in Dispatches
(MID), an Oak Leaf emblem attached to the campaign ribbon, is awarded
for valour and or service. Only the Victoria Cross and MID are awarded
posthumously. Many were killed in action whilst doing gallant deeds
and awarded the MID and not the VC.
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The USA Equivalent
Medal
Of Honor
USA
Distinguished Service Cross covers the following awards
USA
SILVER STAR
is
the equivalent to the following
USA
BRONZE STAR like the MID is the last in the list of the bravery
awards and includes a "V" on the ribbon for Valor
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