The Canadian Honours System. Christopher McCreery
initials, surname, and service.
Postnominals: DSM.
Other: A 2nd type of Queen Elizabeth II obverse also exists, though none were awarded to Canadians. In 1993 the British replaced this decoration with the Distinguished Service Cross.
Number of Awards to Canadians: 116 (2 1st bars).
• Second World War: 114 (2 1st bars).
• Korean War: 2.
The Military Medal
Military Medal George V obverse.
Military Medal George V reverse.
Origins: The Military Medal was created in March 1916 to recognize warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men serving in the army. Royal Flying Corps personnel and members of the naval services were also eligible for this medal under certain circumstances. The modern Canadian equivalent is the Medal of Military Valour.
Criteria: Acts of bravery in the field.
Insignia: A circular silver medal 36 mm in diameter, there have been six obverse types awarded to Canadians:
• George V 1st type: George V uncrowned in a field marshal’s uniform circumscribed by the legend GEORGIVS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND:IMP:.
• George V 2nd type: George V crowned in coronation robes circumscribed by the legend GEORGIVS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND:IMP:.
• George VI 1st type: George VI crowned, circumscribed by the legend GEORGIVS VI D:G: BR: OMN: REX ET INDIAE IMP:.
• George VI 2nd type: George VI crowned, circumscribed by the legend GEORGIVS VI DEI GRA: BRITT. OMN: REX FID: DEF:+.
• Elizabeth II: Elizabeth II crowned, circumscribed by the legend ELIZABETH II D:G: BR: OMN: REGINA F:D:.
The reverse displays the Royal Cypher of the reigning Sovereign below which is found the text FOR BRAVERY IN THE FIELD on four lines, the text and cypher within a wreath of laurel leaves. Four reverse type medals were awarded to Canadians:
Military Medal George VI 1st type obverse.
Military Medal George VI 1st type reverse.
• George V both types: GVR.
• George VI 1st type: GRI.
• George VI 2nd type: GVIR.
• Elizabeth II: EIIR.
Suspender: Swivelling claw-footed suspender with an ornate scroll bar.
Ribbon: A dark blue ribbon 32 mm in width displaying in the centre alternating 3 mm stripes of white (3) and red (2).
Bars: A silver bar with raised edge displaying laurel leaves in the centre slides over the ribbon.
Naming: Engraved or impressed capitals, number, abbreviated rank, initials, surname, and unit.
Postnominals: MM.
Other: In 1993 the British replaced this decoration with the Military Cross.
Number of Awards to Canadians: 13,654 (848 1st bars, 3 2nd bars).
• First World War: 12,345 (838 1st bars, 37 2nd bars).
• Second World War: 1,256 (10 1st bars, 1 2nd bar).
• Korean War: 53.
The Distinguished Flying Medal
Distinguished Flying Medal reverse.
Distinguished Flying Medal George VI 1st type obverse.
Origins: The Distinguished Flying Medal is part of the family of air force decorations created in June 1918 after the establishment of the Royal Air Force.
Criteria: Awarded to non-commissioned officers and men who perform acts of valour, courage, or devotion to duty while flying in active operations against the enemy. The modern Canadian equivalent is the Medal of Military Valour.
Insignia: A silver oval-shaped medal 35 mm wide and 41 mm tall displaying in the centre the Sovereign’s effigy circumscribed by his or her titles. The reverse displays a representation of Athena Nike seated on an airplane with the date 1918 in the field and the text FOR COURAGE, the entire allegory encircled within a narrow laurel wreath at the outermost edge of the disc. Two types of this medal were issued to Canadians:
• George V issue: an uncrowned effigy of George V circumscribed by the legend GEORGIVS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND:IMP:.
• George VI issue: an uncrowned effigy of George VI circumscribed by the legend GEORGIVS VI D:G: BR: OMN: REX F.D: IND:IMP:.
Suspender: A pair of extended wings joined in the centre by a bomb in the style of the First World War.
Ribbon: A white ribbon 32 mm wide displaying purple stripes on a 45 degree angle, 2 mm apart. Until 1919 the stripes were horizontal.
Bars: A 33 mm wide silver bar with a flying eagle centred; the bar slips over the ribbon.
Postnominals: DFM.
Naming: Impressed around the rim, number, rank, surname, and given initials, or hand-engraved around the rim number, rank, given initials, surname, and RCAF.
Other: One other George V type (crowned), one other George VI type (without IND IMP), and another Elizabeth II type of this decoration also exist; however, none of these were bestowed upon Canadians. In 1993 the British replaced this decoration with the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Number of Awards to Canadians: 516 (all awards for the Second World War).
The Air Force Medal
Air Force Medal George VI 1st type obverse.
Air Force Medal reverse.
Origins: The Air Force Medal was part of the family of air force decorations created in June 1918 after the establishment of the Royal Air Force.
Criteria: Awarded to non-commissioned officers and men who perform acts of valour, courage, or devotion to duty while flying, though not in active operations against the enemy. The modern Canadian equivalent is the Meritorious Service Cross or Medal (military division).
Insignia: A silver oval-shaped medal 35 mm wide and 41 mm tall, displaying in the centre the Sovereign’s effigy circumscribed by his or her titles. The reverse displays a representation of Hermes mounted on a hawk in flight bestowing a wreath, along with the date 1918 in the field, the entire allegory encircled within a narrow laurel wreath at the outermost edge of the disc. Two types of this medal were issued to Canadians:
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