Canadian military personnel won many military decorations between June 7 and 12, 1944. The decoration system that Canada used in World War II, like most other aspects of its military organization and tradition, derived from Britain. A class-based system, most military decorations can be awarded either to officers or to “other ranks,” but not both. The Canadian army, navy, and air force also have distinct decorations. Only the Victoria Cross—the nation’s highest award—can be won by personnel from any arm of the service or rank.
The decorations and qualifying ranks are:
VICTORIA CROSS (VC): Awarded for gallantry in the presence of the enemy. Instituted in 1856. Open to all ranks. The only award that can be granted for action in which the recipient was killed, other than Mentioned in Despatches—a less formal honour whereby an act of bravery was given specific credit in a formal report.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER (DSO): Army officers of all ranks, but more commonly awarded to officers with ranks of major or higher.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS (DSC): Navy officers ranging in rank from commander down to lieutenant.
MILITARY CROSS (MC): Army officers with a rank normally below major and, rarely, warrant officers.
DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS (DFC): Air Force officers and warrant officers for acts of valour while flying in active operations against the enemy.
AIR FORCE CROSS (AFC): Air Force officers and warrant officers for valour while flying, but not while in active operations against the enemy.
DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL (DCM): Army warrant officers and all lower ranks.
CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY MEDAL (CGM): Navy chief petty officers, petty officers, and men.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL (DSM): Navy chief petty officers, petty officers, and men.
MILITARY MEDAL (MM): Army warrant officers and all lower ranks.
DISTINGUISHED FLYING MEDAL (DFM): Air Force non-commissioned officers and men for valour while flying in active operations against the enemy.
AIR FORCE MEDAL (AFM): Air Force non-commissioned officers and men for valour while flying, but not in active operations against the enemy.