Victoria Cross
Highest military honor
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration in the British Commonwealth, awarded for extreme valor in the face of the enemy.
Instituted by Queen Victoria in 1856, it remains exceptionally rare—fewer than 1,400 have ever been awarded.
Recipients may use the postnominal letters VC: Corporal Johnson, VC.
Courage, especially in combat
- heroismExceptional courage under duress
- courageFortitude facing danger
- braveryBoldness before danger
- intrepidityFearless courage
fearlessness · daring · fortitude · dauntlessness · selflessness · sacrifice · devotion · audacity
Combat engagement area
- combatArmed hostile engagement
- actionProcess of doing
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
- infantryGround combat troops
regiment · artillery · trenches · warfare · enemy · fire · wounded · fallen
Metal honor token
- ribbonSlender ornamental strip
- bronzeCopper-tin alloy
- crimsonDeep purplish-red shade
- insigniaDistinguishing mark of rank
citation · investiture · posthumous · clasp · bar · miniature · wearing · engraving
Association of sovereign states
- monarchyRule by crowned sovereign
- WestminsterLondon's political center
- sovereignSupreme in power
- Royal NavyUK naval military branch
British Army · Royal Air Force · Buckingham Palace · colonial · imperial · United Kingdom · Her Majesty · Empire
High regard, moral dignity
- distinctionNotable difference or honor
- prestigeReputation commanding admiration
- gloryExalted honor and praise
- accoladeExpression of high esteem
esteem · tribute · commendation · renown · fame · ceremony · investiture · announcement
gallantry
Courage, especially in combat
intrepidity · fearlessness · daring · fortitude · dauntlessness · selflessness · sacrifice · devotion · audacity · boldness
battlefield
Combat engagement area
infantry · regiment · artillery · trenches · warfare · enemy · fire · wounded · fallen · posthumous
medal
Metal honor token
insignia · citation · investiture · posthumous · clasp · bar · miniature · wearing · engraving · replica
Commonwealth
Association of sovereign states
- monarchyRule by crowned sovereign
- WestminsterLondon's political center
- sovereignSupreme in power
Royal Navy · British Army · Royal Air Force · Buckingham Palace · colonial · imperial · United Kingdom · Her Majesty · Empire · ceremonial
honor
High regard, moral dignity
- distinctionNotable difference or honor
- prestigeReputation commanding admiration
- gloryExalted honor and praise
accolade · esteem · tribute · commendation · renown · fame · ceremony · investiture · announcement · gazette
winner
One who prevails
veteran · survivor · memorial · commemoration · registry · cenotaph · tribute · honored · distinguished · legendary
- British MedalsOBE, MBE, CBE, Air Force Cross, Order of the Garter
- Canadian AwardsOrder of Canada
- awardsaward, awards, winner, winners, prize
- honorsmedal, award, trophy, certificate, prize
- medalsgold medal, silver medal, bronze medal, medal, Olympic medal
- military historybattles, soldiers, campaigns, officers, battlefields
Victoria Crosscourt-martial
Armed forces judicial proceeding
dishonorable discharge · dishonourable discharge · cashiering · drumming out · white feather
Victoria Crosscowardice
Absence of bravery
coward · desertion · dereliction of duty · shirking · yellow streak
Victoria Crossundecorated
Without added ornament
participation medal · campaign medal · service medal · civilian · knighthood