Defence Cross for Distinguished Service

{{Infobox military award

| name = Defence Cross for Distinguished Service

| image = File:RSR Defence Cross for Distinguished Service ribbon.png

| alt =

| caption = Ribbon of the D.C.D.

| presenter =

| country = Rhodesia

| type = Decoration

| eligibility =

| awarded_for = Distinguished service to Rhodesia's armed forces

| campaign =

| status = No longer awarded

| description =

| motto =

| clasps =

| post-nominals = D.C.D.

| established = 1970

| firstawarded = 1975

| lastawarded =

| total_awarded =

| total_awarded_posthumously =

| total_recipients =

| precedence_label =

| individual =

| higher = Bronze Cross of Rhodesia

| same = Police Cross for Distinguished Service
Rhodesia Prison Cross for Distinguished Service

| lower = Meritorious Conduct Medal

| related =

| image2 =

| alt2 =

| caption2 =

}}

The Defence Cross for Distinguished Service was a Rhodesian military decoration awarded for distinguished service to Rhodesia's armed forces.

Institution

The award was instituted in 1970 by Presidential Warrant, the first awards being made in 1975.

Medal

The medal was a sterling silver cross worn on the breast, with at its centre a roundel containing a device of a lion's head and the legend FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE, while the reverse was blank. The medal was impressed in small capitals with the recipient's name on the reverse, and was awarded with a case of issue, miniature medal for wear, and an illuminated certificate. The ribbon was half scarlet, half Cambridge blue, with a central silver stripe and green edges. {{MilAward Ribbon|DCD|x20px}}

Recipients

19 awards of the Defence Cross for Distinguished Service were made between 1970 and 1979.Rhodesia Medal Roll, p46 Recipients included Army Generals Peter Walls, Derry McIntyre, and Bruce Campling.

Recipients were entitled to the post-nominal letters D.C.D.

Zimbabwe

The Defence Cross for Distinguished Service fell into abeyance following Zimbabwe Rhodesia's adoption of majority rule in 1979, and the country's transformation into Zimbabwe a year later. It has been partially replaced by the military division of the Zimbabwean Medal for Meritorious Service.

References

Saffery, D., 2006. The Rhodesia Medal Roll, [http://www.jeppestown.com Jeppestown Press], United Kingdom. {{ISBN|0-9553936-0-4}}

External links

{{cite web|url=https://www.medals.org.uk/zimbabwe/zimbabwe.htm |title=Orders, Medals and Decorations of Zimbabwe}}

Category:Military awards and decorations of Rhodesia

Category:1970 establishments in Rhodesia

Category:Awards established in 1970