The Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)
Overview
The Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) was instituted in 1854 and is the oldest British award for gallantry. It was awarded to non-commissioned officers and other ranks of the Army for distinguished conduct in the field. In 1993, the DCM was replaced in the UK by the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. In New Zealand, the DCM was replaced by the New Zealand Gallantry Decoration in 1999.
Description
The Distinguished Conduct Medal is silver in colour and circular in shape. The obverse features the effigy of the Sovereign. The reverse reads "FOR DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT IN THE FIELD".
The ribbon is crimson with a dark blue central stripe.
Bars were awarded for subsequent distinguished acts.
Recipients
Over 500 DCMs have been awarded to New Zealanders. The most recent DCMs were awarded for service in Vietnam.
Queries & requests
-
Related publications
For information on the 525 New Zealand military personnel awarded the DCM see Alan J. Polaschek, The Complete New Zealand Distinguished Conduct Medal. Revised edition, published Christchurch: Medals Research Christchurch, 1983. (359 pages).
This book contains citations, brief biographies, and lists of other medals awarded to the 525 New Zealand military recipients of the DCM between 1899 and 1970. The book also provides the date, and page reference, that the award was notified in the London Gazette or New Zealand Gazette.
-
Wearing this medal
The Distinguished Conduct Medal is worn as with medals for gallantry and bravery in the New Zealand Order of Wear. It is always worn after the Order of St John and before The Conspicuous Gallantry Medal.
For more information on how to wear and care for honours, medals, and awards:
-
Checking eligibility and applying for this medal
The Distinguished Conduct Medal is no longer awarded in New Zealand since the introduction of New Zealand's own system of Gallantry and Bravery awards in 1999.
-
Checking if this medal was issued
Honours, medals, and awards bestowed on an individual for service in the New Zealand Armed Forces are recorded in their individual service record. NZDF Personnel Archives and Medals holds a collection of about 1.5 million service records relating to 420,000 New Zealand service personnel who served in New Zealand’s Military Forces after the First World War.
Service records are not currently digitised, but we can locate it and find the information you might be looking for or help you book a time for you to see the records in Trentham by completing the form on the Service Record page.