BRAVERY AND DISTINGUISHED SERVICE:
BRITISH AND COMMONWEALTH MEDALS

VC  VICTORIA CROSS
This is the highest decoration for gallantry in the face of the enemy which can be awarded to any rank. It is awarded "to those officers or men who have served Us in the presence of the Enemy and shall then have performed some signal act of valour or devotion to their country". Its recommendation was issued at regimental level and had to be backed by three separate witnesses.
 

GC  GEORGE CROSS
This was instituted in September 1940 at the height of the Blitz to recognise bravery of the highest order by civilians, and was regarded as the civilian equivalent of the VC. It was later extended to members of the armed forces, regardless of rank, to recognise bravery of the highest order where direct enemy action was not involved.
 

OBE  OFFICER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire was established in June 1917 as an Order of Chivalry, and a separate military division was created in December 1918 to reward distinguished service in action by officers and senior NCOs. There are 5 ranks - Knight/Dame Grand Cross (GBE), Knight/Dame Commander (KBE or DBE), Commander (CBE), Officer (OBE) and Member (MBE). In the military division rank was determined not by the degree of gallantry or distinguished service displayed, but by the rank or level of responsibility held by the individual. By 1974 however it was recognised that ranks and levels of responsibility were not relevant when making awards for gallantry, so military division awards were discontinued on the introduction of the new Queen's Gallantry Medal.

Originally a purple ribbon, with a red central stripe for the military division, it was changed in 1937 to rose pink with pearl grey edges, plus a pearl grey central stripe for the military division. The badges of the three highest ranks are enamelled with pale blue crosses and crimson rings; those of Officers are plain gold; those of Members are plain silver. An award for gallantry was denoted by an emblem of two crossed silver oak leaves on the same riband, ribbon or bow as the badge.
 

DSO  DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER
Awarded to Lieutenant-Colonels and above (and exceptionally to Majors) who performed distinguished or meritorious service during wartime, typically during actual enemy combat, and specifically 'Mentioned in Despatches' (see below) by the Commander-in-Chief. It was often awarded for acts not judged quite sufficient, or not sufficiently corroborated, for the award of a VC.
 

MC  MILITARY CROSS
Awarded originally to junior Army officers of Captain and below and to Warrant Officers, "in recognition of distinguished and meritorious services in the time of war". It was instituted as the equivalent of the Military Medal awarded to servicemen below officer rank.
From 1993 all ranks have been eligible to receive the award.
 

DFC  DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS
Awarded originally to officers and Warrant Officers in the RAF after its formation in 1918. It was introduced to replace the MC, and was awarded for acts of gallantry in the face of the enemy by pilots who had scored at least eight aerial victories.
From 1993 all ranks have been eligible to receive this award.
 

DCM  DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL
Awarded to non-commissioned officers and other ranks for "acts of gallantry and devotion to duty in the Field" When introduced during the Crimean War it was regarded as second only to the VC in prestige. To avoid devaluing this prestige, the Military Medal was issued in WW1 as a lesser alternative.
In 1993 It was replaced by the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.
 

GM  GEORGE MEDAL
This is the second highest gallantry award that a civilian can be awarded and was instituted at the same time as the George Cross so that the latter's position as the 'civilian Victoria Cross' should not be undermined by the award of larger numbers. As with the George Cross, military personnel are eligible for the George Medal if their act does not qualify for a military gallantry award.
 

DSM  DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL
Awarded to non-commissioned officers and other ranks who show themselves to the fore in action, and set an example of bravery and resource under fire, but without performing acts of such pre-eminent bravery as would render them eligible to receive the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal.
 
 

MM  MILITARY MEDAL
Awarded to non-commissioned officers and other ranks for individual or associated acts of "bravery in the field" brought to notice by the recommendation of the Commander-in-Chief in the field. It was instituted in 1916 as a lesser alternative to the D.C.M. and usually awarded other than for "exceptional" acts of bravery.
 

MENTION IN DESPATCHES
This is the oldest form of recognition of gallantry within the UK Armed Forces and is not a decoration but a certificate, issued to a person singled out to be mentioned in a Commander-in-Chief's military despatch, which records the details. However, an emblem of an oak leaf could be worn on the riband of an campaign medal to signify the fact: If no campaign medal was awarded, it is worn on the left breast of dress uniform.
Prior to 1920 this was inverted and in silver, from 1920 to 1994 it was bronze, and since 1994 it has been silver. It should not be confused with the King or Queen's Commendation for Bravery award or the bronze palm emblem on the Belgian and French "Croix de guerre avec palme". Unlike other awards in recognition of gallantry or special service, recipients were NOT entitled to list any initials after their name (post-nominals), but it is sometimes referred to in abbreviated form as 'MID'.