The Distinguished Service Order. Obverse.
The Distinguished Service Order (DSO) is one of the highest military decorations awarded by the United Kingdom, primarily for acts of meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime.
Instituted in 1886 by Queen Victoria and typically awarded to officers ranked major, the first DSOs awarded were dated 25 November 1886. Recipients of the order are officially known as Companions of the Distinguished Service Order and are entitled to use the post-nominal letters “DSO”.
The DSO is typically awarded to officers ranked Major and above for meritorious or distinguished service in combat or other significant contributions to military operations. It is often awarded for leadership, courage, and exceptional service under fire.
Over the years, the DSO has been awarded to numerous officers for their outstanding leadership, gallantry, and devotion to duty in various conflicts, including World War I, World War II, and subsequent military operations. During the First World War, 8,981 DSOs were awarded, each award being announced in The London Gazette.
The DSO ranks below only the Victoria Cross (VC) and the George Cross (GC) in the order of precedence for British military decorations. It is considered a prestigious honor and is highly respected within the military community.
In addition to the standard DSO, there are several variants and clasps that may be awarded in recognition of additional acts of distinguished service or multiple awards.
The DSO is a cross patonce, which means it has arms that narrow towards the center and end in a floriated decoration. It is crafted from silver gilt, enameled white and edged in gold.
In the obverse and the center, within a wreath of green laurel, is the imperial crown in gold upon a red enameled background. The reverse shows the royal cypher in gold upon a red enameled ground, within a wreath of laurel, enameled green.
The ribbon of the DSO is crimson with narrow dark blue edges.
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