Distinguished Conduct Medal (D.C.M.)

(Level 2 Gallantry Award)

Instituted on 4th December 1854.
Discontinued as an award in 1993, when the D.S.O, D.C.M. and C.G.M. were replaced by the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.

The D.C.M. was the first official medal award to recognise an act of gallantry in the field by a member of the armed forces who was below the rank of officer. It was the other ranks' equivalent of the Distinguished Service Order.The reverse of the medal bears the inscription "For Distinguished Conduct in the Field". A recipient of the award is entitled to use the letters D.C.M. after their name.