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The Badges of Courage
Orders and decorations
War has always had its heroes; unfortunately a far fewer than war's list of dead. In the face of death and the enemy, Canadians have distinguished themselves in wartime, including 94 Victoria Cross recipients. Below is a list of the military orders and decorations available to Canadians for acts of heroism and courage in battle. More about these can other military honors can be found at Veterans Affairs Canada.
Victoria Cross
Awarded for most conspicuous bravery or some daring or
pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to
duty in the presence of the enemy.
George Cross
For an act of the greatest heroism or of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger. Awarded primarily to civilians.
Companion of the Order
of the Bath
Presented for service of the highest calibre for military service in WW II and Korea.
Commander of the Order of the British Empire
For services to the war effort by civilians at home and servicemen
in support positions; mainly to reward non-combatant services
to the war and was to include women. Could be awarded for
gallantry
as well as service.
Distinguished Service
Order
For military officers only; rewarding individual instances
of meritorious or distinguished service in war. Normally given
for service under fire or under conditions equivalent to service
in actual combat with the enemy.
Officer of the Order
of the British Empire
For services to the war effort by civilians at home and servicemen
in support positions; mainly to reward non-combatant services
to the war and was to include women. Could be awarded for
gallantry
as well as service.
Member of the Order
of the British Empire
For services to the war effort by civilians at home and servicemen
in support positions; mainly to reward non-combatant services
to the war and was to include women. Could be awarded for
gallantry
as well as service.
Royal Red Cross Class1
For exceptional devotion and competency in performance of actual
nursing duties, or a continuous or long period, or who has
performed some very exceptional act of bravery and devotion at her
post of duty. Awarded only to fully trained nurses.
Distinguished Service
Cross
Awarded to naval personnel for the performance of meritorious or
distinguished services before the enemy.
Military Cross
Awarded to commissioned officers of the substantive rank of
Captain or
below or Warrant Officers for distinguished and meritorious
services
in battle.
Distinguished Flying
Cross
Awarded to officers and Warrant Officers for an act or acts of valour,
courage, or devotion to duty performed whilst flying in active
operations against the enemy.
Air Force Cross
Awarded to officers and Warrant Officers for an act or acts of
valour, courage, or devotion to duty performed whilst flying,
but not while in active operations against the enemy.
Royal Red Cross
Class 2
For exceptional devotion and competency in performance of actual
nursing duties, or a continuous or long period, or who has
performed some
very exceptional act of bravery and devotion at her post of duty.
Awarded to fully trained nurses, assistant nurses, probationers,
or V.A.D. nursing members.
Distinguished Conduct
Medal
The second highest award for gallantry in action, awarded for distinguished conduct in the field.
George Medal
Awarded only for acts of great bravery and was intended primarily
for civilians.
Distinguished Service
Medal
Awarded to naval officers 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.
Military Medal
Awarded for individual or associated acts of bravery on the
recommendation of a Commander-in-Chief in the field.
Distinguished Flying
Medal
Awarded to non-commissioned officers and men for an act or acts
of valour, courage or devotion to duty performed whilst flying
in active operations against the enemy.
Air Force Medal
Awarded to non-commissioned officers and men for an act or acts of
valour, courage or devotion to duty performed whilst flying, though not
in active operations against the enemy.
British Empire Medal
Awarded for meritorious service which warranted such a mark of royal appreciation.
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