Decorations 2

Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

British Awards, Honours and Decorations - page 2

The illustrations on this page are provided courtesy of Worcestershire Medal Services Ltd. This section is not intended to give a definitive list of all British Honours and Awards, merely to illustrate the main awards which will be mentioned in the biographical pages.

This section is in four parts: -

1. British Decorations, 2. British Orders of Chivalry, 3. Medal Ribbons and 4. Foreign Orders and Awards

Decorations for Gallantry and Leadership

Distinguished Conduct Medal DCM		Introduced to recognise acts of gallantry performed by NCO's and soldiers. It has ranked above the MM since 1916. It was replaced by the CGC in 1993. Instituted: 1854
Conspicuous Gallantry Medal CGM CGM (Flying) holders		Introduced as the naval equivalent of the DCM for Petty Officers and ratings. The CGM (Flying) was introduced in 1943 It was replaced by the CGC in 1993. Instituted: 1855
George Medal GM RAF Personnel awarded the George Medal		Awarded for acts of bravery, not considered to warrant the award of the GC. In the services it is usually awarded for acts of bravery not in the face of the enemy. It is mainly a civilian award. Instituted: 1940
Distinguished Service Medal DSM		Awarded to Petty Officers and ratings for acts of bravery not considered to warrant the award of the CGM. It was replaced by the DSC in 1993. Instituted: 1914
Military Medal MM RAF Personnel awarded the Military Medal		Awarded to NCO's and soldiers for acts of bravery not considered to warrant the award of the DCM. It was replaced by the MC in 1993. Instituted: 1914
Distinguished Flying Medal DFM		Awarded to NCO's and airmen for acts of bravery in the face of the enemy. It was replaced by the DFC in 1993. Instituted: 1918
Air Force Medal AFM		Awarded to NCO's and airmen for acts of bravery when in the face of the enemy or for meritorious service on flying duties. It was replaced by the AFC in 1993. Instituted: 1918
Bar		When an award is made for a second or subsequent time, it is denoted by the award of a Bar. The Bar is wore on the ribbon when full medals are worn, but when ribbons only are worn, a rosette is displayed on the ribbon for each subsequent award.
Mention in Dispatches	a) b)	When an individual is Mentioned in Dispatches, they are entitled to wear the badge shown opposite. If awarded the badge will be worn on the appropriate medal ribbon. If a medal has not been awarded, the badge will be worn after other ribbons. a) pre 1994 b) post 1994
Air Efficiency Award AE		Awarded for ten years efficient service in the Auxiliary or Volunteer Air Forces of the Commonwealth Instituted: 1942

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