Date Instituted: 1918.
Description: Oval medal with the reigning monarch's effigy on the obverse while the reverse depicts Athena Nike seated on an aeroplane with a hawk about to take off from her right outstretched arm below which are the words 'FOR COURAGE'. Original issues had an un-dated reverse but the year '1918' was added on George VI issues onwards. The suspender takes the form of two outstretched wings.
Metal: Silver.
Size: 42mm high and 34mm wide.
Bars: Bars are authorised for subsequent awards.
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Naming: Impressed in large capital letters for First World War awards but engraved for Second World War examples.
Post-Nominal Letters: DFM.
Comments: Instituted at the same time as the DFC to recognise non-comissioned ranks of the RAF for acts of gallantry on operational missions against the enemy. During the Second World War eligibility was extended to Army and Fleet Air Arm NCOs and enlisted men engaged in similar operations.
In 1993 this medal was replaced by the Distinguished Flying Cross now open to all ranks.
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