Conspicuous Service Cross (Australia)


The Conspicuous Service Cross is a decoration of the Australian honours system. It is awarded to members of the Australian Defence Force "for outstanding devotion to duty or outstanding achievement in the application of exceptional skills, judgment or dedication, in non-warlike situations". In November 2019, 1129 people were listed as recipients. All ranks are eligible for the award.

History

The Conspicuous Service Cross was introduced in 1989 to acknowledge outstanding achievement and performance of duty in non-warlike circumstances. Previously, there had been no option for such recognition other than using awards within the Order of Australia.

Description

  • The medal is a nickel-silver modified Maltese Cross with each axis measuring 38 millimetres, ensigned with the Crown of Saint Edward in nickel-silver, with the arms of the cross interspersed with fluted rays. The obverse bears a central device of the Southern Cross surrounded by a laurel wreath.
  • The back of the cross shows a horizontal panel.
  • The ribbon is 32 millimetres wide, having alternating diagonal stripes of bush green and sandy gold 6 millimetres wide.
  • Additional awards of the CSC wear a nickel-silver bar with a superimposed replica of the cross. The bar is attached to the ribbon of the original award.

Multiple award recipients

Several people have received the Conspicuous Service Cross for a second time, including:
AwardeeOriginal awardBar awarded
Colonel2000 Queen's Birthday Honours2010 Queen's Birthday Honours
Vice Admiral2008 Australia Day Honours2011 Australia Day Honours
Colonel2006 Queen's Birthday Honours2011 Australia Day Honours
Lieutenant Colonel2007 Queen's Birthday Honours2013 Australia Day Honours
Group Captain27 November 20032013 Australia Day Honours
Captain2003 Queen's Birthday Honours2014 Australia Day Honours
Captain2017 Queen's Birthday Honours2021 Australia Day Honours
Commander2014 Queen's Birthday Honours2021 Australia Day Honours