Military Cross

The Military Cross ( Dt. Military Cross) is a military award of the United Kingdom, which is awarded to members of the British army for excellent and commendable efforts in the fight. Earlier, it was also awarded to other Commonwealth nations officers. After the Victoria Cross and Conspicuous Gallantry Cross which is the third highest gallantry award in the British armed forces. Since the Military Cross is awarded only to members of the army, have the Royal Navy ( the Distinguished Service Cross) and Royal Air Force ( with the Distinguished Flying Cross ) own decorations for bravery.

The Military Cross was introduced on 31 December 1914 and was originally only given to officers with the rank of captain or below as well as Warrant Officers. As of February 5, 1931, this award was also awarded to officers of the rank of Major. Since 1993, the award is also awarded to other ranks under which the Warrant Officers. In that regard, replaced the Military Cross Military Medal, the, their ceremony was set.

Recipient of the Military Cross are entitled to by their names the letters MC, which point to the award ( the so-called post- nominals ). If a soldier, who is already the holder of the Military Cross, awarded this award for a second time, so he gets on the ribbon a silver clasp ( so-called " bar "). A limit of how many times one can obtain the MC does not exist.

During the First World War, around 37,000 people have been awarded the Military Cross. 3,000 of them received a silver clasp that they had earned the Military Cross for a second time, 170 were given a second clip for the third acquisition of the Military Cross and 4 achieved an award with three clasps. This was indicated that they had acquired the Military Cross four times.

During the Second World War, the Military Cross was awarded a total of approximately 11,000 times. In 500 cases, the same soldier was twice awarded the Military Cross.

The Military Cross is a flat, symmetrical silver cross with a beam length of 4.445 cm (1.75 inch). On each arm is the picture of an imperial crown (Imperial Crown ). On beam intersection is the initial of the ruling sovereign (GV, GVI, EIIR ). On the flat back is on the bottom bar is engraved with the year of award. At the top of a ring solder, which is connected via a further band of the ring holder. The tape is 3.49 cm ( 1.375 inches ) wide by wässerlich white color with a purple stripe in the middle of 1.27 cm (0.5 inches) wide.