| George Cross | |
|---|---|
 Obverse of the cross. Ribbon: 1½", dark blue | |
| Type | Civil And Military Decoration |
| Awarded for | "... acts of the greatest heroism or of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger." |
| Description | Height 48 mm, max. width 45 mm; (Obverse) plain silver cross with circular medallion in the centre depicting the effigy of St George and the Dragon, surrounded by the words "FOR GALLANTRY". In the angle of each limb is the Royal Cypher GVI; (Reverse) plain, centre engraved with name of recipient and date of award. Cross attached by ring to bar ornamented with laurel leaves, through which the ribbon passes. |
| Presented by | Monarch of the United Kingdom |
| Eligibility | Commonwealth subjects |
| Post-nominals | GC |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Established | 24 September 1940 |
| Last awarded | 6 July 2021 (gazetted)[citation needed] |
| Total | 416 (including 3 collective awards) |
| Total awarded posthumously | 90 (including 5 former EGM recipients) |
| Total recipients | 416 (including 3 collective awards) |
 GC ribbon bar | |
| Order of Wear | |
| Next (higher) | Victoria Cross[1] |
| Next (lower) | Order of the Garter |
| Related | George Medal and King's Gallantry Medal |
The George Cross (GC) is the highest award bestowed by the British government for non-operational gallantry or gallantry not in the presence of an enemy. In the British honours system, the George Cross, since its introduction in 1940, has been equal in stature to the Victoria Cross, the highest military award for valour.[2] It is awarded "for acts of the greatest heroism or for most conspicuous courage in circumstance of extreme danger",[3] not in the presence of the enemy, to members of the British armed forces and to British civilians.[4] Posthumous awards have been allowed since it was instituted. It was previously awarded to residents of Commonwealth countries (and in one case to Malta, a colony that subsequently became a Commonwealth country), most of which have since established their own honours systems and no longer recommend British honours. It may be awarded to a person of any military rank in any service and to civilians including police, emergency services and merchant seamen. Many of the awards have been personally presented by the British monarch to recipients or, in the case of posthumous awards, to next of kin. The investitures are usually held at Buckingham Palace.[5]
- ^ "No. 56878". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 March 2003. p. 3351.
- ^ "Decorations, Gallantry and Distinguished Conduct medals: George Cross". Gov.uk. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
- ^ Clause five of the George Cross gazette
- ^ The phrase "in the presence of the enemy" was inserted into the Victoria Cross Warrant in 1881 and continues in the present warrant but is often quoted as "in the face of the enemy".
- ^ Mussell, J.W. (Editor), (2018), Medal Yearbook 2019, (Token Publishing Ltd: Devon)