Order of St Michael: a French military order instituted by Louis XI in 1469 (now historical). Order of St Michael and St George: an English civil…

a French order of distinction, founded by Napoleon in 1802, conferred as a reward for civil or military services.

A military decoration: a bar or slip of silver fixed transversely upon the ribbon by which a medal is suspended; the medal being given for the…

a Prussian (later German) military decoration awarded for distinguished service in war; cf. Ritterkreuz, n.

A metal object, usually of the size and form of a coin, struck or cast with an inscription, a head or effigy of a person, or other device or image…

A badge, typically of precious metal, in the shape of or ornamented with a star, worn as part of the insignia of an order of knighthood or of…

a British military and naval decoration bestowed for conspicuous bravery in battle. (Abbreviated V.C.)

Victoria Cross, a holder of the Victoria Cross.

Also more fully Congressional Medal of Honour. The highest decoration in the U.S. armed forces, consisting of a five-pointed star on a blue ribbon…

A small slip of silver fixed transversely below the clasp of a medal, as an additional mark of distinction.

A yellow jacket worn as a sign of high military distinction in Qing dynasty China; the right to wear such a jacket. Now historical.

Volunteer Decoration (formerly awarded in the Territorial Army or the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve).

A French medal first awarded during the war of 1914–18 (see quot. 1922).

(in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries) a military decoration awarded for distinguished active service on land, instituted in 1915…

Conspicuous Gallantry Medal.

(in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries) a former military decoration for distinguished active service on land, instituted in 1916…

Military. Each of the stars (up to a maximum of three) worn on the shoulders of an officer's uniform to denote rank. Also in extended use.

Military Medal (established 1916).

U.S. In form Purple Heart. A decoration awarded for military service: originally, in the revolutionary war, a decoration awarded for meritorious…

(in the First World War (1914–18)) the Military Cross.

(in the First World War (1914–18)) the Military Medal.

a strip of gold braid worn by a wounded soldier on the left sleeve, vertically, above the cuff.

Territorial Decoration (in the Territorial Army).

(a nickname for) a medal for long service and good conduct awarded to members of the British Army; cf. gong, n.2 2a.

a decoration for gallantry awarded to members of the U.S. Army and Navy (see quot. 1941); also Silver Star medal.

The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, a German decoration instituted by Hitler and awarded for distinguished service in war. Cf. Iron Cross n. at iron…

A military decoration awarded to British Commonwealth soldiers for service in Africa during the Second World War.

Also with capital initials. A nickname for the honourable discharge badge given to ex-service personnel during the Second World War (1939–45); the…

a medal awarded to all the members of a force (see also quot. 1962).

(U.S. slang) = ruptured duck, n. 2.