Military Cross

The Military Cross (MC) is the third-level military award given to officers and (since 1993) other ranks of the British Armed Forces. Previously it was also awarded to officers of other Commonwealth countries.

Military Cross
Military Cross
Awarded by United Kingdom and Commonwealth
Type	Military decoration
Eligibility	British, (formerly) Commonwealth, and allied forces
Awarded for	... gallantry during active operations against the enemy.[1]
Status	Currently awarded
Description	Silver cross with straight arms, Royal Cypher in centre (obverse) (reverse) plain
Statistics
Established	28 December 1914
First awarded	1 January 1915 to Lieutenant G.F.H. Brooke, 16th Lancers (Staff Captain).[2]
Total awarded	George V: over 40,000 George VI: over 11,000 Elizabeth II: not published [3]
Distinct recipients	over 48,000
Order of Wear
Next (higher)	Distinguished Service Cross [4]
Next (lower)	Distinguished Flying Cross [4]
Related	Military Medal
Ribbon of the Military Cross; without, with bar, and with two bars

The MC is granted in recognition of "an act or acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy on land to all members, of any rank in Our Armed Forces".^[5] In 1979, the Queen approved a proposal that some awards, including the Military Cross, could be awarded posthumously.^[6]