Distinguished Service Medal



The Distinguished Service Medal was instituted on 14 October 1914 and was awarded to (Chief) Petty Officers and men of the Navy, Army and Air Force personnel of equal rank serving with the fleet, who show themselves to the force in action, and set an example of bravery and resource under fire, but without performing acts of such pre-eminent bravery as would render them eligible to receive the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal. A silver-coloured bar is awarded for additional acts of bravery.



The silver-coloured award has the shape of a circular medal, 1.42 inches in diameter. The obverse shows a crowned effigy of :



KING GEORGE VI:A, facing left and one of the legends :

GEORGEIVS VI D: G: BR: OMN: REX ET INDIAE IMP: (for WWII).

GEORGEIVS VI DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF: (for Korea).



QUEEN ELIZABETH II, facing right and the legend :

ELIZABETH II D: G: BR: OMN: REGINA R: D: (for Korea and Vietnam).



The reverse shows the legend FOR / DISTINGUISHED / SERVICE in three lines, encircled by a laurel wreath and surmounted by an Imperial Crown. The medal is awarded with the inscription of the service number, rank, initials, surname and service of the recipient.



The ribbon is 1.25 inches wide and consists of three equal vertical stripes : dark blue, white and dark blue, with a thin dark blue stripe down the centre of the white.



Total issued to Canadians : 116 plus 2 bars, 114 + 2 bars during the Second World War and two awards during the Korea War.