The
Distinguished Service Order, DSO, is
awarded for meritorious or
distinguished service to officers
during wartime, typically in actual
combat. The DSO was instituted on 6
September 1886 by Queen Victoria. It
was awarded to officers ranked Major
(or its equivalent) or Higher.
The
Military Cross, MC, is the third
level military decoration awarded to
officers. The MC may not be awarded
posthumously and is granted to army
commissioned officers' of the
substantive rank of captain or below
for "gallantry during active
operations against the enemy." The
Royal Warrant was amended in 1953 to
include substantive Majors.
Substantive Warrant Officers could
also receive this award (although
none were given) The award was
created in 1914.
The
Distinguished Flying Cross is
the third-level military
decoration awarded to personnel
of the United Kingdom's Royal
Air Force and other services,
and formerly to officers of
other Commonwealth countries,
instituted for "an act or acts
of valour, courage or devotion
to duty whilst flying in active
operations against the enemy".
The
Medal for Gallantry (MG) is a
military decoration awarded to
personnel of the Australian Defence
Force. It recognises acts of
gallantry in action in hazardous
circumstances. The MG was introduced
on 15 January 1991 replacing the
Imperial equivalent. It is ranked
third in the Gallantry Decorations
in the Australian Honours System.
Recipients of the Medal of Gallantry
are entitled to use the post-nominal
letters "MG". Since its inception 31
awards have been made to
26-January-2008.
The
Distinguished Conduct Medal, DCM,
was (until 1993) the second level
military medal awarded to 'other
ranks' (The Victoria Cross or VC was
the highest). The medal was
instituted in 1854 during the
Crimean War and is the other ranks
equivalent of the DSO.
The
Military Medal, MM, was awarded to
soldiers below commissioned rank
for: "Acts of gallantry and devotion
to duty under fire." The medal was
established in 1916 but back dated
to 1914.
The
British Empire Medal, which may be
awarded posthumously, is granted in
recognition of meritorious civil or
military service. Recipients are
entitled to use the post-nominal
letters "BEM".
The Commendation
for Distinguished Service is awarded for the
distinguished performance of duties in
warlike operations to members of the
Australian Defence Force.
Mentioned in Despatches, MID, is a
military award for gallantry or
otherwise commendable service. If a
subordinate officer or soldier
performs a noteworthy action
included in the report he/she is
said to have been "mentioned in
despatches."
References:
Australian War Memorial
Palmer A. M. VIETNAM VETERANS - Honours
and Awards, Perth WA. Military Minded.
WIKIPEDIA The Free Encyclopedia: Military
Awards
2nd Lt B. J. Ryan
