Level 3 Awards
These awards represent military or civilian gallantry that merits national recognition at the third level. The number, rank and name of each recipient of a Level 3 award is published in the London Gazette although the citation may not be published for every award due to security considerations surrounding the incident.
BEM (Gallantry)
The British Empire Medal was instituted in June 1917 as part of the Order of the British Empire and met the pressing need to honour the wide ranging war services of large numbers of civilians, especially in the voluntary sectors. The medal could be awarded in recognition of either meritorious civil or military service or for ga…
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Military Medal
The Military Medal (MM) was instituted by Royal Warrant on 7 April 1916 to reward acts of bravery that were not deemed high enough to warrant the award of the DCM. The MM was a Level three gallantry award for Other Ranks of the Army and other Services, for bravery in battle on land. Warrant Officers also received this award although …
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Air Force Medal
The Air Force Medal (AFM) was introduced on 3 June 1918 as a third level decoration to Other Ranks of the RAF for “an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy.” The AFM was also awarded to personnel of other Commonwealth countries. The AFM was disc…
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Distinguished Flying Medal
The Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) was created on 3 June 1918, along with the Distinguished Flying Cross, as the equivalent third level award to Other Ranks of the RAF for “an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy.” Due to its late introduction, only …
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Distinguished Flying Cross
The award was established on 3 June 1918 shortly after the formation of the Royal Air Force as the third-level military decoration. The DFC was awarded to officers and Warrant Officers for an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy. Since WW2, the award has been open to …
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Distinguished Service Medal
The Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) was established on 14 October 1914 as a Level three military decoration for award to personnel of the Royal Navy and members of the other Services up to and including the rank of Chief Petty Officer, for bravery and resourcefulness on active service at sea. Since 1993 the DSM is no longer awarded…
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Distinguished Service Cross
Originally created in 1901 as the Conspicuous Service Cross for award to Warrant Officers and junior officers who were ineligible for the DSO. The award was renamed the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) in October 1914 and became the third level gallantry decoration for officers in the Army. Its eligibility was extended to include officers of …
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Air Force Cross
The Air Force Cross (AFC) was introduced by King George V on 3 June 1918 as an award to officers and Warrant Officers in the newly formed RAF for an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy. After WW2, eligibility for the AFC was widened to include flying officers …
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King’s Gallantry Medal
The Queen’s Gallantry Medal (QGM) was introduced in June 1974 as an award to civilians for “acts of exemplary bravery” at a level below that of the George Medal. The QGM may also awarded to military personnel for acts for which military honours would not normally be granted, such as acts of exemplary bravery not in the presence of…
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Military Cross
Instituted on 31st December 1914, the Military Cross (MC) is the third level military decoration for award to Warrant Officers and Officers below the rank of Major in the Army and the Royal Flying Corps as well as the Indian Army and Colonial Forces. During World War One provision was made for officers of the Royal Naval Division and Royal Mar…
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