Medals and Awards
A Guide to the Ribbons worn by war veterans
Ribbon Illustrations kindly provided by Roy Woolley of World Medals www.worldmedals.co.uk
A bar or bars added to the ribbon of an award denotes a further award of the same category
| Award | Title | Qualification | ||||||||||||||||
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Victoria Cross |
All Ranks. Highest award for bravery |
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George Cross |
Highest civilian galantry award |
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Distinguished Service Order | Commissioned Officers for distinguished services under fire for either general or specific acts | ||||||||||||||||
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Distinguished Service Cross | Officers & Warrant Officers serving with the fleet | ||||||||||||||||
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Distinguished Service Medal | NCO's & Men for services with the fleet or afloat ie: Air Sea Rescue |
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Conspicuous Gallantry Medal | NCO's and Other Ranks for distinguished services under fire either general or specific acts | ||||||||||||||||
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Distinguished Flying Cross | Officers & Warrant Officers for exceptional valor, courage and devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy. Collective or immediate award | ||||||||||||||||
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Distinguished Flying Medal | NCO's for exceptional valor, courage and devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy. Collective or immediate award | ||||||||||||||||
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Air Force Cross | Officers & Warrant Officers for acts of valor, courage & devotion to duty not in active service against the enemy | ||||||||||||||||
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Air Force Medal | NCO's & Men for acts of valor, courage & devotion to duty not in active service against the enemy | ||||||||||||||||
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Military Medal | NCO's & Men for Services on the ground | ||||||||||||||||
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Air Efficiency Award | All ranks for 10 years service (Reduced for certain types of war service) | ||||||||||||||||
| Oak Leaf Clasp | Mentioned in Despatches | For gallantry or bravery which fell just short of a gallantry medal | ||||||||||||||||
Campaign Stars & Medals
Award |
Qualification | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1939-1945 Star
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Operational service between 3 September 1939 & 2 September 1945 Additional Clasp: 'Battle of Britain' for Fighter Aircrew |
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| Defence Medal
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Minimum of 3 years non-combattant home service or 1 year in certain overseas areas | ||||||||||||||||||
| War Medal
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Minimum of 28 days service in WWII | ||||||||||||||||||
| Air Crew Europe Star
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Operational flying over occupied Europe between 3 Sept 39 & 6 June 44 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Atlantic Star
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Operations in the 'Battle of the Atlantic' between 3 September 1940 & 8 May 1945 Additional Clasps: 'Aircrew Europe & 'France & Germany' |
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| Pacific Star
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Service in the Pacific Area of operations between 8 December 1941 & 2 September 1945 Additional Clasp: 'Burma' |
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| Africa Star
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One or more days service in North Africa, Abyssinia, Somaliland, Sudan or Malta between 10 June 1940 & 12 May 1943 Additional Clasp: 'North Africa 1942-43' |
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| Burma Star
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Service in the Burma Campaign between 11 December 1941 & 2 September 1945 Additional Clasp: 'Pacific' |
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| Italy Star
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Operational Service in Italy or Sicily between 11 June 1943 and May 1945 | ||||||||||||||||||
| France & Germany Star
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Service in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany between D-Day (6 June 1944) and VE Day (8 May 1945) Excluding Operations from Italy Additional Clasp: 'Atlantic' |
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| General Service Medal
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Service in 'Minor Wars' between 1923 & 1962 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Long Service & Good Conduct Medal
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18 years exemplary service up to 1947 15 years exemplary service up from 1977 12 years exemplary service up to 1947 for officers who had 'served in the ranks' |
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| POW Medal
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Unofficial Allied Prisoner of War Medal | ||||||||||||||||||
| Bomber Command Medal
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Unofficial Bomber Command Medal | ||||||||||||||||||
Ribbon Illustrations kindly provided by Roy Woolley of World Medals www.worldmedals.co.uk
