Military Cross facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Military Cross
Military Cross
Awarded for	Obverse: Straight armed silver cross, Royal Cypher in centre Reverse: plain
Presented by	United Kingdom and Commonwealth

The Military Cross (MC) is a special award given for bravery in the British Armed Forces. It's the third-highest award for courage on land. Before 1993, it was the second-highest.

This award is given to soldiers of any rank who show "amazing bravery during active operations against the enemy on land." In 1979, Queen Elizabeth II allowed the Military Cross to be given even if a soldier died.

History of the Military Cross

How the Award Started

The Military Cross was first created on 28 December 1914. It was meant for officers (like captains) and warrant officers. The very first awards were announced on 1 January 1915. Seventy-one officers and 27 warrant officers received it.

Even though it wasn't officially for posthumous awards until 1979, some of the first awards were given to soldiers who had died from their injuries.

Changes Over Time

From August 1916, people who received the MC could use the letters "MC" after their name. If they showed bravery again, they could get a "bar" (a small silver clasp) to wear on the ribbon. This showed they had received the award more than once.

In 1917, the award could also be given to temporary majors. Later, in 1953, it was extended to all majors. In 1931, members of the Royal Air Force could also receive it for brave actions on the ground.

Commonwealth Countries and the MC

After World War II, many Commonwealth countries started their own awards. This meant they no longer recommended British awards like the MC. For example, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand now have their own bravery awards.

The MC Today

Since 1993, the Military Cross has been for all ranks in the British Armed Forces. This change was made to ensure that bravery is recognized no matter a person's rank. It is now the third-highest award for "exemplary gallantry" (amazing bravery) on land. It is given for actions that are not quite at the level of the Victoria Cross (the highest award for "most conspicuous bravery") or the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.

What the Military Cross Looks Like

The Military Cross was designed by Henry Farnham Burke. Its ribbon was created by Victoria Ponsonby, Baroness Sysonby.

Here's what the medal looks like:

• It's an ornamental silver cross with straight arms.
• The front has imperial crowns and the Royal Cypher (the monarch's special symbol) in the middle.
• The back is plain.
• From 1938 to 1957, the year it was awarded was engraved on the cross. Since 1984, the recipient's name has been engraved on it.
• The ribbon is 32 mm wide. It has three equal stripes: white, purple, and white.
• If someone receives another award (a bar), it's a plain silver bar with a crown in the center.

Who Has Received the Military Cross?

Numbers of Awards Given

Since 1914, more than 52,000 Military Crosses have been awarded. Also, 3,717 bars have been given for further acts of bravery.

Here's a quick look at how many were awarded during different periods:

About 375 more MCs have been awarded since 1979. These include awards for conflicts in Northern Ireland, the Falklands, the Persian Gulf, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Famous Recipients

Albert Jacka's MC and bar

MC awarded to 2nd Lt. E. W. Fane de Salis (1894–1980)

• During World War I, Captain Francis Wallington was the first person to receive the MC and three bars. This means he earned the award four times!
• The cities of Verdun and Ypres were also given the Military Cross for their important roles in World War I.
• During World War II, Captain Sam Manekshaw of the Indian Army was badly wounded in Burma. A general, D.T. Cowan, quickly pinned his own Military Cross ribbon onto Manekshaw. He said, "A dead person cannot be awarded a Military Cross," wanting to make sure Manekshaw was recognized for his bravery right away. Manekshaw survived and later became a Field Marshal.
• The first Military Cross given after a soldier died (posthumously) was to Captain Herbert Westmacott in 1980 for his bravery in Northern Ireland.
• The first woman to receive the Military Cross was Private Michelle Norris in 2006 for her actions in Iraq. Queen Elizabeth II personally gave her the medal.
• Able Seaman Kate Nesbitt was the second woman, and the first in the Royal Navy, to receive the MC in 2009 for her bravery in Afghanistan.

See also

In Spanish: Cruz Militar para niños

• Category:Recipients of the Military Cross
• British and Commonwealth orders and decorations
• List of British gallantry awards for the Iraq War