Medals

Medals, Decorations and Orders

The following list shows some of the more important or common awards available during the war years. The list is in the order of precedence that the ribbons of medals, decorations and orders were to be worn in. Bolded abbreviations indicate post-nominal letters; that is, that the recipient of that honour was allowed to suffix his name with the title of the award.

During periods of hostilities ribbons only, and never medals, were to be worn when in uniform.

Total number of awards are a general guide only; no two sources on Canadian decorations seem to give the same information.

Name and Category	Ribbon	Information	Awards to Canadians
Victoria Cross VC		Instituted 1854 and awarded for "most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy."	Only 8 soldiers of the Canadian Army won the VC in World War Two. No Calgary Highlanders were among them, although three of these VCs were from the Second Division. Sergeant Clarence Crockett was recommended for the VC but was instead awarded the DCM for his actions at Albert Canal.
British Orders of Knighthood	The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire III CBE - Commander	The first two grades of this award were titular honours (ie gave the recipient a knighthood) and Canadians were not eligible during WW II. After 1 Jan 1958 gallantry awards were signified by two silver oakleaves.	481 CBEs have gone to Canadians, 281 of them military awards.
	Distinguished Service Order DSO Bar signified by rosette on ribbon	Institued on 9 November 1886 and awarded for individual instances of meritorious or distinguished service in wartime. Prior to 1943, it was awarded only to officers whose service had been mentioned in despatches for "distinguished services under fire, or under conditions equivalent to service in actual combat with the enemy." Generally awarded to officers in command, or Lieutenant Colonel rank or higher. Awards to ranks of Major or below were usually for a high degree of gallantry just short of that rewarded by the Victoria Cross.	In total, 1291 Canadians have been decorated with the DSO (including 20 - Boer War and 710 - First World War), with 113 Bars (including 89 - First World War) and 18 second Bars (including 15 - First World War)
	The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. IV. OBE - Officers V. MBE - Members		Approximately 3300 awards of the 4th and 5th grade of this order have been made to Canadians, including both World Wars.
Decorations	Military Cross MC Bar signified by rosette on ribbon	Instituted in 1914 and awarded to commissioned officers of the substantive rank of Captain or below (including acting and temporary Majors) or Warrant Officers for distinguished and meritorious services in battle.	A total of 678 awards were made during WW II to Canadians, as well as 13 Bars and 1 second Bar.
Medals for Gallantry and Distinguished Conduct	Medal for Distinguished Conduct in the Field (more commonly known as the Distinguished Conduct Medal) DCM Bar signified by rosette on ribbon	Established for Canadians in 1902 and awarded to Warrant Officers, NCOs, and men, for distinguished conduct in the field.	There were 161 awards to Canadians in World War Two, with 1 Bar also awarded.
Medals for Gallantry and Distinguished Conduct	Military Medal MM Bar signified by rosette on ribbon	Instituted on 25 March 1916 and awarded to Warrant Officers, non-commissioned officers and men for individual or associated acts of bravery on the recommendation of a Commander-in-Chief in the field.	Canadians have received 13, 654 medals, plus 848 first bars and 38 second bars. This includes World War One and Korea.
British Empire Medal BEM	Bar signified by rosette on ribbon	The military division medal of the BEM was awarded to NCOs and men only. After the Empire Gallantry Medal (EGM) was superceded by the George Cross, the BEM continued to be awarded for gallantry (but of a degree less than that required to earn the George Medal).	During World War Two 1,202 awards of the BEM were made to Canadians for merit and 34 for gallantry. At least one Calgary Highlander was awarded the BEM during World War Two.
War Medals	1939-43 Star	Awarded for six months service on active operations between 2 Sep 1939 and 8 May 1945. Originally awarded in 1943, later renamed the 1939-45 Star. Some ribbons were seen in wear in 1944-45.	305,000 Canadians of all three services received stars, 88 with bars (awarded only to pilots who fought in the Battle of Britain).
War Medals	Canadian Volunteer Service Medal	Established 22 October 1943. Ribbon was awarded during the war, the medal was not awarded until after the war.Awarded to personnel who voluntarily served on Active Service and honourably completed eighteen months (540 days) total voluntary service from 3 Sep 1939 to 2 Sep 1945. A bar was awarded for 60 days service outside of Canada. Canadian soldiers in Europe referred to this award as the Spam Medal (and joked that it was issued for eating large quantities of tinned meat) or as the EBGO (Every Bastard's Got One).	In total, 1,183,000 people were eligible for this medal and 650,000 medals were actually issued, along with 525,500 bars.
Mention in Despatches	Oakleaf emblem worn on ribbon of War Medal	Being mentioned in despatches was the lowest form of visible recognition for bravery; it entitled the recipient to wear an oakleaf device on the ribbon of the War Medal (which was not issued until after hostilities).

Immediately after the war, additional medals and ribbons were awarded to all soldiers for their service. The most common awards include:

Most Calgary Highlanders veterans can be see wearing the five medal set of 1939-45 Star, France-Germany Star, Defence Medal, CVSM with clasp, and 1939-45 War Medal.

	The France-Germany Star rewarded one day or more of service in France, Belgium, Holland, or Germany during the period between D-Day and VE-Day.
	The Defence Medal recognized six months service in the United Kingdom.
	The 1939-45 War Medal recognized 28 or more days of service in one of the services.