A recommendation for the VC is normally issued by an officer at regimental level, or equivalent, and has to be supported by three witnesses, although this has been waived on occasion. The recommendation is then passed up the military hierarchy until it reaches the Secretary of State for Defence.
Which military award is equivalent to the Victoria Cross?
It is the joint highest award for bravery in the United Kingdom with the George Cross, which is the equivalent honour for valour not in the face of the enemy. However, the VC is higher in the order of wear and would be worn first by an individual who had been awarded both decorations (which has not so far occurred).
Who is the Victoria Cross given to?
The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest award of the United Kingdom honours system. It is awarded for gallantry “in the face of the enemy” to members of the British armed forces. It may be awarded posthumously.
Which regiment has most Victoria Crosses?
The Royal Artillery is the corps that has won the highest number of Victoria Crosses since its institution. This unit has won the Victoria Cross 51 times, the Royal Engineers have won the Victoria Cross 41 times and the Royal Army Medical Corps which won the Victoria Cross 27 times.
How many Indian soldiers won the Victoria Cross?
Indians won eight Victoria Crosses on the Western Front out of a total of 11 awarded during the First World War. The King’s tour and inspection of Indian troops – and sampling of a chapatti – is another example of securing the loyalty of the Indian soldiers.
What is the rarest military award?
The Victoria Cross is the ‘holy grail’ for medal collectors because there are only 1,357 in existence. Bearing the inscription ‘For valour’ and known as a VC, this medal was first awarded for ‘conspicuous bravery’ in 1856 and later backdated to the Crimean war of 1854.
Do you salute a VC winner?
There is no official requirement that appears in the official Warrant of the VC, nor in Queen’s Regulations and Orders, but tradition dictates that this occurs and as such the Chiefs of Staff will salute a Private awarded a VC or GC. The Victoria Cross was at first worn as the recipient fancied.
Who was the last soldier to receive the Victoria Cross?
During the First World War (1914-18), 626 VCs were awarded and in the Second World War (1939-45) 181. The most recent was awarded to Lance Corporal Joshua Leakey of 1st Battalion The Parachute Regiment, whose VC was gazetted in February 2015, following an action in Afghanistan on 22 August 2013.
How many soldiers have won the Victoria Cross twice?
Charles Hazlitt Upham, the World War Two hero was, and remains, the only combatant to receive two Victoria Crosses. There’s no feat in military service more difficult that getting a Victoria Cross.
What is the difference between the Victoria Cross and the Military Cross?
The two were awarded for “gallantry in the field,” the only difference being that the MC was for officers (although not above the rank of captain), and the MM for other ranks.
How much is Victoria Cross worth?
His medal was sold at auction for £930,000 (€1,075,000) by Noonan’s auctioneers in London on Wednesday — more than twice the guide price of between €350,000 and €400,000.
What is higher than the Victoria Cross?
No civilian has received the award since 1879. Since the first awards were presented by Queen Victoria in 1857, two-thirds of all awards have been personally presented by the British monarch. The investitures are usually held at Buckingham Palace.
| Victoria Cross | |
|---|---|
| Order of Wear | |
| Next (higher) | None |
| Next (lower) | George Cross |
What medal is higher than the Victoria Cross?
While there are many ways in which Britain and the US honour their Armed Forces personnel, the most prestigious must be the awarding of two medals: the Victoria Cross (VC) and the Medal of Honor (MOH.)
Who owns the most Victoria Crosses?
Lord Ashcroft’s
It houses the Extraordinary Heroes exhibition containing Lord Ashcroft’s unrivalled collection of Victoria Crosses (VCs), the largest in the world. Lord Ashcroft’s VC collection now totals more than 200 such decorations and he also has a much smaller collection of George Crosses (GCs).
Can a Victoria Cross be taken away?
The awards of eight Victoria Cross recipients were forfeited between 1861 and 1908. Since 1920 when King George V expressed strong objections to the use of the forfeiture power, no further awards have been forfeited. The power to cancel and restore awards is still included in the Victoria Cross warrant.
Which country has the most Victoria Crosses?
bar England
Of the 1,350 Victoria Cross medals awarded to date, Irish people have received 190 awards – the highest tally of any country, bar England (614) thus honoured.
What are the top 3 Army medals?
- Medal of Honor.
- Navy Cross.
- Silver Star.
What is the hardest military badge to earn?
the Expert Field Medical Badge
Since its creation in 1965, the Expert Field Medical Badge has proven to be the most elusive and sought after award for medics.
What Medal does every soldier get?
Medal of Honor
There are three versions of the medal – for the Army, Air Force and Navy (Coast Guard and Marine Corps personnel receive the Navy version) – and all recipients are given the award by the current president.
What are the 3 types of salutes?
There are several types of military salutes – the hand salute, the rifle salute at order arms, a rifle salute at right shoulder, and still another rifle salute at present arms.
Can I wear my fathers medals?
The rule is that war medals should only be worn on the left breast by the person upon whom they were conferred. Technically this honour remains with the individual and does not pass to a widow, parent or relative upon death.