Distinguished Service Cross (Australia)

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Distinguished Service Cross
Australian Distinguished Service Cross.png

DSC (Australia) ribbon.png
TypeMedal
Awarded forDistinguished command and leadership in warlike operations
Presented byAustralia
EligibilityMembers of the Australian Defence Force
Post-nominalsDSC
StatusCurrently awarded
Established1991
First award1993
Final award 2025 Australia Day Honours
Total272
Total awarded posthumously1
Total recipients273
AUS Distinguished Service Cross & Bar ribbon.png
Undress ribbon for DSC w/Bar
Order of Wear
Next (higher) Star of Courage [1]
Next (lower) Member of the Order of Australia [1]
Related Distinguished Service Medal
Commendation for Distinguished Service

The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force. It is awarded for distinguished command and leadership in warlike operations. The DSC was introduced in 1991 and is the highest distinguished service decoration in the Australian Honours System. Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "DSC". [2] Since its inception 273 awards have been made—which includes eight bars and one second bar.

Contents

Government allowance

The Government of Australia may grant an allowance to veterans or serving members of the Australian Defence Force who have been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, or other awards for gallantry. In November 2007, this allowance was A$2.10 per fortnight. [3]

Description

The Distinguished Service Cross is described as: "...a modified Maltese Cross of nickel silver ensigned with the Crown of St Edward. The obverse bears a Federation Star surmounted on a disc of flames. The medal has a nickel-silver suspender bar. The medal ribbon has a central ochre-red stripe surrounded by narrower silver-blue stripes." [2]

Distinct recipients

Since its inception, eight bars have been awarded;

One bar
Two bars

Senate inquiry

On 3 July 2024, a senate inquiry was launched to investigate the award criteria for the Distinguished Service Cross including the 2011 change from “in action” to “in warlike operations”. [12] [13]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "The Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards" (PDF). Government House. 25 September 2007. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Distinguished Service Cross". Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 23 February 2010.
  3. ↑ "Veteran's Entitlements Act 1986 – Sect 102". Commonwealth Consolidated Acts. Australasian Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 17 November 2007.
  4. ↑ COL V DSC & Bar, 26 January 2011, https://www.gg.gov.au/australian-honours-and-awards/australian-honours-lists
  5. ↑ LTCOL P DSC & Bar, 26 January 2012, https://www.gg.gov.au/australian-honours-and-awards/australian-honours-lists
  6. ↑ "MAJGEN Michael Peter Crane DSC & Bar, AM" (PDF). The Queen's Birthday 2014 Honours List – Gazette 3 Military. 9 June 2014.
  7. ↑ "Bar to the Distinguished Service Cross entry for Lieutenant Colonel F". Australian Honours Database. Canberra, Australia: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 26 January 2015. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  8. ↑ "Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Budget and Other Measures) Bill 2016; Second Reading". 21 November 2016.
  9. ↑ LTCOL I DSC & Bar, 26 January 2014, itsanhonour.gov.au
  10. ↑ "Australia Day 2016 Honours List" (PDF). Australian Government. 26 January 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  11. ↑ "Accelerated Warfare, Presented by Brigadier Ian Langford, DSC and Bars". 4 March 2019.
  12. ↑ "Inquiry to probe integrity of military honours and awards amid claims of abuse". The Nightly. 3 July 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  13. ↑ "Honours inquiry announcement". Instagram. Senator Malcolm Roberts. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
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