Distinguished Service Cross EIIR Miniature

Miniature Distinguished Service Cross awarded across all ranks of the RN, RM, Army, and RAF in recognition of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy at sea. A silver bar, with rounded ends, ornamented by the Crown may be issued to DSC holders performing a further act of such gallantry which would have merited award of the DSC. Instituted in 1901, this award was originally known as the Conspicuous Service Cross and was issued for gallantry in presence of the enemy to warrant and subordinate officers of the RN who were ineligible (on account of their rank) for the Distinguished Service Order. Renamed the Distinguished Service Cross in 1914, it also became available to Naval junior officers. In 1940, it also became available to Army and RAF officers serving aboard naval vessels.

The equivalent award for the other ranks for gallantry at sea in presence of the enemy was the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) which had been instituted in 1914 and, similarly to the DSC, later became available to Army and RAF other ranks serving at sea.

Following the 1993 review, the DSM was discontinued and the DSC became available to all ranks of all services for exemplary gallantry at sea in presence of the enemy. It is at a level below the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross and is at the equivalent level to the Military Cross (for exemplary gallantry on land) and the Distinguished Flying Cross (for exemplary gallantry in the air).