Military Cross

Military Cross. The Military Cross is a military decoration awarded to officers, and formerly to warrant officers and other ranks, of the British Armed Forces and formerly of the British Empire, for "exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy". Instituted in 1914 during the early months of the First World War, it was originally intended for junior army officers but its scope was later expanded. The award is third in precedence of the British operational gallantry awards for officers, ranking after the Distinguished Service Cross and before the Distinguished Flying Cross.

History and establishment

The Military Cross was established on 28 December 1914 by royal warrant from King George V, backdated to the outbreak of the First World War in August of that year. It was created to fill an honours gap, as the Distinguished Service Order required a higher level of leadership and the existing other ranks gallantry medals were not deemed appropriate for commissioned officers. The award was initially open only to captains, lieutenants, and warrant officers in the British Army, including the nascent Royal Flying Corps. Its creation was announced in the London Gazette in January 1915, with the first awards gazetted later that year for actions during the early campaigns on the Western Front and at Gallipoli. The criteria were later extended in 1916 to include equivalent ranks in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines when serving ashore, and after the Second World War, in 1993, it was made available to all ranks.

Criteria and award process

The Military Cross is awarded for "exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy" on land. The gallantry displayed must be of a high standard, but below the level required for the Victoria Cross. Awards are typically made for specific acts of bravery, such as leading a successful raid under heavy fire, rescuing wounded comrades from no-man's land, or holding a critical position against overwhelming odds. Recommendations are initiated by a recipient's commanding officer and pass through a rigorous chain of command, often involving the formation's headquarters, such as those of the British Army of the Rhine or British Forces Cyprus, before final approval by the Sovereign. The award can be made posthumously, and since 1979, a bar has been awarded for a further act of gallantry meriting the MC, denoted by a silver rosette on the ribbon when worn alone.

Description and design

The medal is a plain silver cross pattée, with the royal cypher of the reigning monarch at the centre. The reverse is plain, except for the year of issue engraved on the lower arm. The suspension bar is decorated with laurel leaves. The original ribbon was plain white with two narrow purple vertical stripes, but in 1916, to avoid confusion with the Russian Order of St. George, it was changed to the now-familiar white ribbon with a central purple stripe flanked by two narrower purple stripes. The cross is worn on the left chest, suspended from the ribbon. For everyday wear, recipients use a silver rosette on the ribbon bar to denote the award.

Notable recipients

Many distinguished soldiers have received the Military Cross for acts of conspicuous bravery. During the First World War, famed figures like T. E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) and J. R. R. Tolkien were recipients. In the Second World War, notable awards included those to David Stirling, founder of the Special Air Service, and John Frost for his leadership at the Battle of Arnhem. More recent conflicts have also seen celebrated recipients, including individuals decorated for service in the Falklands War, the Gulf War, and campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq. Senior officers who later achieved high command, such as Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, were also early recipients of the award.

Order of wear and post-nominal letters

In the British order of wear for decorations and medals, the Military Cross is positioned after the Distinguished Service Cross and before the Distinguished Flying Cross. When worn in miniature form, it follows the same sequence. Recipients are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "MC" after their name. If a recipient is awarded a bar for a further act of gallantry, this is indicated as "MC and Bar". The award is also recognized in many Commonwealth realms, though some, like Canada and Australia, have since instituted their own equivalent decorations, such as the Star of Military Valour and the Medal for Gallantry.

Category:Military awards and decorations of the United Kingdom Category:1914 establishments in the United Kingdom