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Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Overview

Instituted in 1901 as the Conspicuous Service Cross, this award was renamed the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) in 1914. It was awarded to junior naval officers and senior naval ratings for courage and devotion to duty on active service. Eligibility was later extended to officers of the Merchant Navy and to Army and Air Force officers serving on HM Ships. Many New Zealand naval officers were awarded the DSC for their actions during the Second World War. Since 1993 the DSC has been made available to all ranks in the United Kingdom.  In 1999 the DSC was replaced in New Zealand by the New Zealand Gallantry Decoration.

Description

The Distinguished Service Cross is silver in colour and has rounded ends. The obverse features a circular centre bearing a crowned Royal Cypher of the Sovereign. 

The ribbon has a central white stripe bordered by equal stripes of dark blue.

Bars are awarded for subsequent courageous acts.  Lieutenant Commander George MacDonald, New Zealand's most decorated naval officer, was awarded the DSC and two bars in the Second World War.

Queries & requests

  • Wearing this award

    The Distinguished Service Cross is worn as a decoration in the New Zealand Order of Wear.  It is always worn after the Royal Red Cross (1st Class or Member) and before the Military Cross.

    For more information on the wear and care of honours, medals, and awards:

  • Checking eligibility and applying for this award

    The Distinguished Service Cross 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 award 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 completing the form on the Service Record page. 

    Request a service record