The Distinguished Service Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Royal Navy (United Kingdom), and formerly also to officers of the navies of other Commonwealth countries, for gallant or distinguished conduct during enemy actions.

The award was originally created in 1901 as the Conspicuous Service Cross, but was renamed the Distinguished Service Cross in October 1914 and could be granted to all naval ranks below Lieutenant Commander. In 1931, the award was made available to members of the Merchant Navy. From 1940, non-naval personnel (Army and Royal Air Force) serving on board a British vessel also became eligible. Since 1993 other ranks of the Royal Navy have become eligible as well; the Distinguished Service Medal, previously awarded to other ranks, has been discontinued.

Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "DSC". From 1916, a bar is added to the ribbon for holders of the DSC who received a second award.

During World War I, a total of 1,983 DSCs were awarded. Since 1945, less than 100 awards of the DSC have been made.

Description

• Shape: uniform cross with curved arms
• Material: silver
• Dimensions: 41 mm in height, 35 mm in width
• Features: The Royal Cypher, surmounted by a crown, in a circle
• Ribbon: Three equal stripes of navy blue, white and navy blue

The year of the award is engraved on the reverse of the lower arm of the cross.

See also

• British and Commonwealth orders and decorations