The Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

Awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat, serving under fire, and usually awarded to those above the rank of captain. Until 1943, the recipient must have been mentioned in dispatches by the commander-in-chief of the Army, or admiral of the Navy.

Between 1914 and 1916, the DSO could also be awarded to staff officers when they were not under fire or in contact with the enemy, but by 1917, it was once more restricted to those who had served in the presence of the enemy. On 23 August 1916, a warrant allowed a bar to be awarded as a way of formally recognising further acts of merit.

About the citations

The citations have been compiled from the original recommendations typed or handwritten in the field at the time of the action and subsequently passed up the chain of command for approval.

Some have been almost illegible from the start; others have lost their edges or their continuations sheets, or have had filing holes punched through keywords. The text faithfully follows the original citations, except that, minor spelling mistakes have been corrected.

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