Distinguished Flying Medal

Award

Distinguished Flying Medal

Obverse and reverse of the medal

Type| Military decoration.
Awarded for| Exceptional valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy
Presented by| UK and Commonwealth
Eligibility| British and (formerly) Commonwealth forces
Status| Discontinued in 1993
Established| 3 June 1918
First awarded| 1918
Last awarded| 1993
Ribbon bar
Order of Wear
Next (higher)| Military Medal[1]
Next (lower)| Air Force Medal[1]
Related| Distinguished Flying Cross

The Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Royal Air Force and other British Armed Forces, and formerly to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for "exceptional valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy". The award was discontinued in 1993 when all ranks became eligible for the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) as part of the reform of the British honours system.[2]

## History[edit]

The medal was established on 3 June 1918. It was the other ranks' equivalent to the Distinguished Flying Cross, which was awarded to commissioned officers and Warrant Officers, although the latter could also be awarded the DFM. The decoration ranked below the DFC in order of precedence, between the Military Medal and the Air Force Medal. Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Medal are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "DFM".[3]

Although announced in the London Gazette on 3 June 1918,[4] the actual royal warrants were not published in the London Gazette until 5 December 1919.[5]

In 1979 eligibility for a number of British awards, including the DFM, was extended to permit posthumous awards.[6] Until that time, only the Victoria Cross and a mention in dispatches could be awarded posthumously.

In 1993, the DFM was discontinued, as part of the review of the British honours system, which recommended removing distinctions of rank in respect of awards for bravery. Since then, the Distinguished Flying Cross, previously only open to Commissioned and Warrant Officers, can be awarded to personnel of all ranks.[2]

The DFM had also been awarded by Commonwealth countries but by the 1990s most, including Canada, Australia and New Zealand, had established their own honours systems and no longer recommended British honours.[7]

## Awards[edit]

There were two categories of award, either "Immediate" or "Non-Immediate".

Immediate

An "Immediate" award was one which was recommended by a senior officer, usually in respect of an act or acts of bravery or devotion to duty deemed to command immediate recognition. In such circumstances, the recommendation for the award was passed as quickly as possible through the laid down channels to obtain approval by the AOC-in-C of the appropriate Command to whom, from 1939, the power to grant immediate awards was designated by King George VI.[8]

An example of an "Immediate" award is that to Leslie Marsh, which was published in the London Gazette on 15 February 1944.[9]

* 1482444 Sergeant Leslie MARSH, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 103 Squadron. "This airman was the mid-upper gunner of an aircraft detailed to attack Mannheim one night in September, 1943. When nearing the target area the aircraft was hit by machine gun fire from a fighter. The rear gunner was killed and Sergeant Marsh was wounded in the legs. Although in great pain Sergeant Marsh remained at his post. Coolly withholding his fire until the attacker came into close range he then delivered an accurate burst which caused the enemy aircraft to break away; later it was seen to be on fire. On two occasions, more recently, his cool and determined work has played a good part in the success of the sortie. Sergeant Marsh is a model of efficiency and his example of courage and resolution has earned great praise."

Non-immediate

"Non-Immediate" awards were made by the monarch on the recommendation of the Air Ministry and were to reward devotion to duty sustained over a period of time. This category of award could be made at any time during an operational tour but, in a large number of instances, the award was given to recognise the successful completion of a full tour of operational flying.[10]

## Numbers of awards[edit]

Between 1918 and 1993 a total of 6,967 medals, 64 second award bars and one third award bar were awarded. Over 95% of these awards were for service during the Second World War.

During the First World War, 104 Distinguished Flying Medals and two second award bars were awarded to British and Commonwealth servicemen,[11] with a further four honorary awards to foreign combatants, three Belgians and one French airman.[12][13]

The first awards of the medal appeared in the London Gazette of 3 June 1918, where two recipients are listed.[14]

* F/9689 Acting Air Mechanic W./T. Albert Edward Clark (of Woodford).
* 113763 Serjeant John Charles Hagan (of Ulverston)

The first award of a bar to the Distinguished Flying Medal was announced in the London Gazette on 3 December 1918. It was awarded to Sergeant observer Arthur Newland, DFM who had been awarded the DFM on 21 September 1918.[15]

In the period between the World Wars, 41 awards of the DFM were made between 1920 and 1929 and a further 39 between 1930 and 1939, along with two second award bars.[3]

During the Second World War, a total of 6,637 DFMs were awarded, with 60 second award bars.[16] A unique second bar, representing a third award, was awarded to Flight Sergeant Donald Ernest Kingaby on 7 November 1941.[17]

At least 170 Honorary DFM's and 2 Honorary bars (one of them to Josef Frantisek) were awarded to aircrew from non-Commonwealth countries. 39 were awarded to servicemen of the US, 66 Polish plus one bar, 33 French, 14 Czechoslovakian plus one bar, 7 Dutch, 6 Norwegian, 4 Russian and one Belgian.[18]

142 DFMs were earned between 1946 and 1993 when the award was discontinued.[19]

## Description[edit]

Ribbon bar for a 2nd award

The DFM is an oval silver medal, 35 mm wide and with a height of 41 mm, with the following design:[3]

* The obverse shows the effigy and titles of the reigning sovereign. There are five distinct versions:

* King George V bare headed (1918-29)
* King George V in crown and robes (1930–1937)
* King George VI with 'IND: IMP:' (Indian Emperor) in the inscription (1938–1949)
* King George VI without 'IND: IMP:' in the inscription (1949–1953)
* Queen Elizabeth II (1953–1993)

The three most common obverse designs were:

* George V 1918-30

* George VI 1938-49

* Elizabeth II 1953-93

* The reverse shows Athena Nike seated on an aeroplane, a hawk rising from her right arm above the words 'FOR COURAGE', all within a narrow laurel wreath band. From 1938, when the George VI obverse was introduced, the date '1918' was added to the reverse design.[20]
* The suspension consists of two outstretched wings.
* The ribbon is 32 mm wide, and consists of alternate violet and white stripes (1/16-inch wide) leaning 45 degrees to the left. A violet stripe is to appear in the bottom left and upper right corners when viewed on the wearer's chest. Until July 1919, the stripes were horizontal.
* Further awards are signified by a straight slip-on silver bar with an eagle in the centre.
* All awards have the name and service details of the recipient engraved or impressed on the rim.

Distinguished Flying Medal ribbon bars

| DFM  | DFM and Bar
1918–1919  |  |
1919–1993  |  |

## See also[edit]

* Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Medal
* British and Commonwealth orders and decorations

## Bibliography[edit]

* Abbott and Tamplin (1981). British Gallantry Awards. Nimrod Dix & Co. ISBN 0902633740.
* Duckers, Peter (2001). British Gallantry Awards, 1855–2000. London: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7478-0516-8.
* Mussell, John (ed). (2015). Medal Yearbook 2015. Honiton, Devon: Token Publishing. ISBN 978-1-908-828-16-3.
* Tavender, Ian (1990). The Distinguished Flying Medal, a record of courage 1918–82. JB Hayward. ISBN 0903754479.

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b "No. 56878". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 March 2003. p. 3352.
2. ^ a b Duckers (2001), pp 47-48
3. ^ a b c Abbott & Tamplin (1981), DFM chapter, pp 100-106
4. ^ "No. 30723". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 May 1918. pp. 6533–6534.
5. ^ "No. 31674". The London Gazette. 5 December 1919. pp. 15049–15050.
6. ^ Abbott & Tamplin (1981), page xx.
7. ^ Mussell (2015), pp 390, 429, 459.
8. ^ Tavender (1990), p.8
9. ^ "No. 36386". The London Gazette (Supplement). 15 February 1944. pp. 850–851.
10. ^ Tavender (1990), p.9
11. ^ Abbott, page 104. Awards announced in London Gazette.
12. ^ Tavender (1990), p.35
13. ^ Announced in Air List, 10 December 1919. Honorary awards did not appear in London Gazette.
14. ^ "No. 30722". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 May 1918. pp. 6520–6521.
15. ^ Edinburgh Gazette (Supplement), 3 December 1918
16. ^ Abbott, page 104. Appears to include honorary awards.
17. ^ "No. 35341". The London Gazette (Supplement). 7 November 1941. p. 6491.
18. ^ Tavender (1990), p.18-19
19. ^ Abbott page 105 cites 138 awards 1946-79. A further 4 are listed in London Gazette after 1979: 8 Oct 8229 June 9112 Oct 9310 May 96 (award backdated to 29 June 91)
20. ^ Mussell (2015), page 99.

* v
* t
* e

Orders, decorations, and medals of the United Kingdom

Orders|

| Current|

* Garter
* Thistle
* Bath
* Merit
* St Michael and St George
* Royal Victorian
* Distinguished Service
* British Empire
* Imperial Service
* Companions of Honour
* St John

| Royal family orders|

* George VI
* Elizabeth II

|

Dormant|

* St Patrick
* Crown of India
* Star of India
* Indian Empire
* Indian Merit
* British India
* Burma

Defunct|

* Royal Guelphic

| Royal family orders|

* George IV
* Victoria & Albert
* Edward VII
* George V

|

Other|

* Royal Victorian Chain
* Hereditary peerage
* Life peerage
* Privy counsellor
* Baronet
* Knight Bachelor
* Aide-de-camp

Current
decorations
and medals|

| Level 1|

* Victoria Cross
* George Cross

|

Level 2A|

* Distinguished Service Order
* Conspicuous Gallantry Cross
* Royal Red Cross (class I)

Level 2B|

* George Medal
* King's Police Medal, for Gallantry
* King's Fire Service Medal, for Gallantry

Level 3A|

* Distinguished Service Cross
* Military Cross
* Distinguished Flying Cross
* Air Force Cross
* Royal Red Cross (class II)

Level 3B|

* Sea Gallantry Medal
* King's Gallantry Medal
* Royal Victorian Medal
* British Empire Medal
* King’s Police Medal, for Distinguished Service
* King's Fire Service Medal, for Distinguished Service
* King's Ambulance Service Medal
* King's Volunteer Reserves Medal
* Polar Medal
* Imperial Service Medal
* Overseas Territories Police Medal
* Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service

Level 4|

* Mentioned in Despatches
* King's Commendation for Bravery
* King's Commendation for Bravery in the Air
* King's Commendation for Valuable Service

Other|

* Badge of Honour
* Elizabeth Cross

Obsolete
decorations
and medals|

| Level 1|

* Indian Order of Merit (1st class)
* Albert Medal (1st class)
* Edward Medal (1st class)
* Empire Gallantry Medal

|

Level 2A|

* Indian Order of Merit (2nd class)
* Distinguished Conduct Medal
* Conspicuous Gallantry Medal
* Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying)

Level 2B|

* Albert Medal (2nd class)
* Edward Medal (2nd class)
* Union of South Africa King's Medal for Bravery, Gold

Level 3A|

* Order of British India (1st class)
* Order of British India (2nd class)
* Indian Order of Merit (3rd class)
* Title Badge (India) (1st class)
* Title Badge (India) (2nd class)
* Title Badge (India) (3rd class)
* Royal West African Frontier Force Distinguished Conduct Medal
* King's African Rifles Distinguished Conduct Medal
* Indian Distinguished Service Medal
* Distinguished Service Medal
* Military Medal
* Distinguished Flying Medal
* Air Force Medal
* Burma Gallantry Medal

Level 3B|

* Constabulary Medal (Ireland)
* Union of South Africa King's Medal for Bravery, Silver
* Kaisar-i-Hind Medal (Gold, Silver, Bronze)
* Indian Police Medal, for Gallantry
* Ceylon Police Medal, for Gallantry
* Sierra Leone Police Medal, for Gallantry
* Sierra Leone Fire Brigades Medal, for Gallantry
* Mauritius Police Medal for Meritorious Service
* Colonial Police Medal, for Gallantry
* Canada Medal
* Queen's Medal for Chiefs
* Indian Police Medal, for Meritorious Service
* Ceylon Police Medal, for Merit
* Sierra Leone Police Medal, for Meritorious Service
* Sierra Leone Fire Brigades Medal, for Meritorious Service

Level 4|

* Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct
* Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air

See also
Order of Wear
British campaign medals
Degradation (knighthood)
Revocations

* v
* t
* e

Former decorations of Australia

Australian Honours Order of Precedence prior to 6 October 1992

Orders of chivalry|

| Most Honourable
Order of the Bath|

* Knight/Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB)
* Knight/Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB/DCB)
* Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB)

|

Most Distinguished
Order of St Michael
and St George|

* Knight/Dame Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG)
* Knight/Dame Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG/DCMG)
* Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG)

Most Excellent Order
of the British Empire|

* / Knight/Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE)
* / Knight/Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE/DBE)
* / Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
* / Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
* / Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Imperial Service Order|

* Companion of the Imperial Service Order (ISO)

Order of the
Companions of Honour|

* Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH)

Miscellaneous|

* Hereditary peer
* Life peer
* Baronet
* Knight Bachelor

Military
gallantry/bravery
decorations|

| In the face
of the enemy|

* Victoria Cross (VC)
* Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
* Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)
* Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (CGM)
* Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying) (CGM)
* Military Cross (MC)
* Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
* Military Medal (MM)
* Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM)
* Mentioned in despatches

|

Not the face
of the enemy|

* Air Force Cross (AFC)
* Air Force Medal (AFM)
* Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct

Distinguished
service
decorations|

| In the face
of the enemy|

* Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
* Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)

|

Not the face
of the enemy|

* King's Police Medal for Distinguished Service (KPM)
* King's Fire Service Medal for Distinguished Service (KFSM)

Civil bravery
decorations|

* George Cross (GC)
* Albert Medal, First Class (AM)
* Albert Medal, First Class (Sea) (AM)
* Albert Medal, Second Class (AM)
* Albert Medal, Second Class (Sea) (AM)
* George Medal (GM)
* King's Police Medal for Gallantry (KPM)
* King's Fire Service Medal for Gallantry (KFSM)
* Sea Gallantry Medal (SGM)
* Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM)
* Edward Medal (EM)
* Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct

Nursing service|

* Member of the Royal Red Cross (RRC)
* Associate of the Royal Red Cross (ARRC)

Meritorious service|

* / British Empire Medal (BEM)
* King's Commendation for Valuable Service

* v
* t
* e

South African military decorations and medals

Sorted in order of wear per era or 1994 constituent force

Pre-Union
until 6 April 1952|

* Victoria Cross
* Dekoratie voor Trouwe Dienst
* Distinguished Service Order
* Distinguished Service Cross
* Military Cross
* Distinguished Flying Cross
* Air Force Cross
* Distinguished Conduct Medal
* Distinguished Conduct Medal (Natal)
* Conspicuous Gallantry Medal
* Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying)
* Distinguished Service Medal
* Military Medal
* Distinguished Flying Medal
* Air Force Medal
* British Empire Medal (Military)
* South Africa Medal (1853)
* South Africa Medal (1880)
* Cape of Good Hope General Service Medal
* Queen's South Africa Medal
* Medalje voor de Anglo-Boere Oorlog
* Lint voor Verwonding
* King's South Africa Medal
* Natal Native Rebellion Medal
* 1914–15 Star
* British War Medal
* Victory Medal (South Africa)
* Mercantile Marine War Medal
* 1939–1945 Star
* Atlantic Star
* Arctic Star
* Air Crew Europe Star
* Africa Star
* Pacific Star
* Burma Star
* Italy Star
* France and Germany Star
* Defence Medal
* War Medal
* Africa Service Medal
* King George V Coronation Medal
* King George V Silver Jubilee Medal
* King George VI Coronation Medal
* Meritorious Service Medal (United Kingdom)
* Meritorious Service Medal (Cape of Good Hope)
* Meritorious Service Medal (Natal)
* Meritorious Service Medal (South Africa)
* Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Cape of Good Hope)
* Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Natal)
* Permanent Forces of the Empire Beyond the Seas Medal
* Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct (South Africa)
* Volunteer Officers' Decoration for India and the Colonies
* Volunteer Long Service Medal for India and the Colonies
* Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration
* Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal
* Efficiency Decoration (South Africa)
* Efficiency Medal (South Africa)
* Decoration for Officers of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
* Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
* Air Efficiency Award
* King's Medal for Champion Shots in the Military Forces
* Union of South Africa Commemoration Medal
* South African Medal for War Services
* Sir Harry Smith's Medal for Gallantry (Unofficial)
* Johannesburg Vrijwilliger Corps Medal (Unofficial)
* Kimberley Star (Unofficial)
* Cape Copper Company Medal for the Defence of O'okiep (Unofficial)

1952–1994|

* Honoris Crux Gold
* Star of South Africa, Gold
* Star of South Africa, Silver
* Star of South Africa (1952)
* Louw Wepener Decoration
* Honoris Crux (1952)
* Honoris Crux Silver
* Van Riebeeck Decoration
* Honoris Crux (1975)
* Pro Virtute Decoration
* Southern Cross Decoration
* Pro Merito Decoration
* Van Riebeeck Medal
* Louw Wepener Medal
* Ad Astra Decoration
* Army Cross
* Air Force Cross
* Navy Cross
* Medical Service Cross
* Southern Cross Medal (1952)
* Pro Merito Medal (1967)
* Southern Cross Medal (1975)
* Pro Merito Medal (1975)
* Danie Theron Medal
* Jack Hindon Medal
* Military Merit Medal
* Korea Medal
* Pro Patria Medal
* Southern Africa Medal
* General Service Medal (South Africa)
* Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
* Medal for Distinguished Conduct and Loyal Service
* Good Service Medal, Gold
* John Chard Decoration
* De Wet Decoration
* Cadet Corps Medal
* Good Service Medal, Silver
* Union Medal
* Permanent Force Good Service Medal
* John Chard Medal
* Good Service Medal, Bronze
* De Wet Medal
* Queen's Medal for Champion Shots in the Military Forces
* Commandant General's Medal
* SADF Champion Shot Medal
* National Cadet Bisley Grand Champion Medal

Transkei|

* Cross for Bravery
* Transkei Defence Force Medal
* Independence Medal (Transkei)
* Military Rule Medal
* Faithful Service Medal

Bophuthatswana|

* Order of the Leopard, Commander
* Distinguished Gallantry Cross
* Defence Force Merit Decoration
* Distinguished Gallantry Medal
* Defence Force Merit Medal
* Marumo Medal, Class I
* Defence Force Commendation Medal
* Marumo Medal, Class II
* Nkwe Medal
* General Service Medal
* Independence Medal
* Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, Gold
* Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, Silver
* Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, Bronze
* State President's Medal for Shooting

Venda|

* Gallantry Cross, Gold
* Gallantry Cross, Silver
* Distinguished Service Medal, Gold
* Distinguished Service Medal, Silver
* Venda Defence Force Medal
* General Service Medal (Venda)
* Independence Medal (Venda)
* Long Service Medal, Gold
* Long Service Medal, Silver
* Long Service Medal, Bronze

Ciskei|

* Sandile Decoration
* Sandile Medal
* Chief C.D.F. Commendation Medal
* Ciskei Defence Medal
* Independence Medal (Ciskei)
* Medal for Long Service, Bronze
* President's Medal for Shooting

Umkhonto
we Sizwe|

* Star for Bravery in Gold
* Star for Bravery in Silver
* Conspicuous Leadership Star
* Decoration for Merit in Gold
* Merit Medal in Silver
* Merit Medal in Bronze
* Operational Medal for Southern Africa
* South Africa Service Medal
* Service Medal in Gold
* Service Medal in Silver
* Service Medal in Bronze

Azanian People's
Liberation Army|

* Gold Star for Bravery
* Bravery Star in Silver
* Star for Conspicuous Leadership
* Gold Decoration for Merit
* Silver Medal for Merit
* Bronze Medal for Merit
* Operational Medal for Southern Africa
* South Africa Service Medal
* Gold Service Medal
* Silver Service Medal
* Bronze Service Medal

From 1994|

* Nkwe ya Gauta
* Nkwe ya Selefera
* iPhrothiya yeGolide
* Nkwe ya Boronse
* iPhrothiya yeSiliva
* iPhrothiya yeBhronzi
* Tshumelo Ikatelaho
* Unitas Medal
* Closure Commemoration Medal
* Medalje vir Troue Diens

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template