This medal is awarded to non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and men for an act of valour, courage or devotion to duty performed whilst flying in active operations against the enemy. The reigning monarch is on the front of the medal, but the reverse is more imaginative with Athena Nike sitting in an airplane holding an eagle in the right hand. Above Athena are the words FOR COURAGE. Athena Nike was one of the Greek goddesses of victory. The DFM was created on June 3, 1918, until 1919 the stripes were horizontal.
A straight silver bar with an eagle in the centre is awarded for a further act that would have warranted the medal. The year of the award is engraved on the back of the bar.
A total of 556 DFMs were awarded to Canadians, although not all of them were in RCAF squadrons.
