Date
Instituted: 1886.
Description: Curved cross covered in white enamel in the centre of which is
the Royal crown surrounded by a green laurel wreath. The
reverse is also covered in white enamel and has the Royal monogram
surrounded by another green laurel wreath. The suspender is straight,
decorated with laurel wreaths and attached to the cross with a small
metal ring. The top of the ribbon is finished with a straight suspender
bar also decorated with laurel wreaths.
Metal: Originally made from gold but in 1889 this changed to
silver-gilt.
Size: 44mm high and 41.5mm wide.
Bars: Bars are awarded for subsequent awards.
| Ribbon: |
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Naming: Issued
un-named but from 1938 the date of the award has been engraved on
the lower suspender bar.
Post-Nominal
Letters: DSO.
Comments: This award was originally granted to senior commissioned
officers for acts of distinguished service for which the award of
the VC would not be given. The DSO has also been awarded to junior officers
but it was originally intended for officers of field rank only. In 1942 the award
of the DSO was extended to officers of the Merchant Navy who had
performed acts of gallantry while under enemy attack.
Since
1993 the DSO is only awarded for 'leadership' and can be earned
by all ranks and not just senior officers. As an award for gallantry
it has been replaced by the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. |
