This medal is awarded to Warrant Officers, non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and men, serving in any of the English sovereign's military forces, for distinguished conduct in the field. It is the second highest award for gallantry in action, after the Victoria Cross, for all military ranks below commissioned officers.
A silver bar with laurels on it is awarded for a subsequent act or acts of distinguished conduct in the field. The current reigning monarch appears on the medal.
The DCM was created in December 4, 1854 for the Crimean War. A total of 2,132 wards of the DCM have been made to Canadian Army and RCAF personnel, plus 38 first bars and 1 second bar.
