Orders, decorations, and medals of Rhodesia


The Rhodesian honours system was established at the time that Rhodesia unilaterally declared itself a republic in March 1970, when a system of military and civil decorations and awards was instituted by Presidential Warrant in November 1970.
Prior to 2 March 1970, Rhodesians were conferred awards in the British honours system.

List of honours

The list of Rhodesian honours and decorations, in order of precedence, is as follows:
NamePostnominalCivilian
Ribbon
Military / Police
Ribbon
Service
Grand Cross of ValourGCV-ALL
Conspicuous Gallantry DecorationCGD-Civilian
Grand Commander of the Legion of MeritGCLMNone AwardedBoth
Grand Officer of the Legion of MeritGLMBoth
Independence DecorationID-Civilian
Independence Commemorative DecorationICD-Civilian
Commander of the Legion of MeritCLMBoth
Police Cross for Conspicuous GallantryPCG-Police
Silver Cross of RhodesiaSCR-Military
Prison Cross for GallantryRPC-Military
Officer of the Legion of MeritOLMBoth
Member of the Legion of MeritMLMBoth
Police Decoration for GallantryPDG-Police
Bronze Cross of Rhodesia BCR-Military
Bronze Cross of Rhodesia BCR-Military
Bronze Cross of Rhodesia BCR-Military
Police Cross for Distinguished ServicePCD-Police
Defence Cross for Distinguished ServiceDCD-Military
Rhodesia Prison Cross for Distinguished ServicePSC-Prison
Meritorious Conduct MedalMCM-Military
Rhodesia Prison Medal for GallantryRPM-Prison
Medal for Meritorious ServiceMSMBoth
Police Medal for Meritorious ServicePMM-Police
Defence Forces' Medal for Meritorious ServiceDMM-Military
Rhodesia Prison Medal for Meritorious ServicePMS-Prison
President's Medal for Chiefs--Chiefs
President's Medal for Headmen--Chiefs
Military Forces' Commendation--Military
Director’s Commendation (Prisons)--Prison
Police Long Service Medal (Rhodesia)--Police
Exemplary Service MedalESM-ALL
Prison Long Service Medal (Rhodesia)--Prison
Police Reserve Long Service Medal (Rhodesia)---
Medal for Territorial or Reserve Service--Military
Fire Brigade Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Rhodesia)--Fire Brigade
Rhodesia Badge of Honour-ALL
President’s Medal for ShootingPres MS-ALL
General Service Medal--Police
General Service Medal--Military
Prison General Service Medal--Prison
Rhodesian District Service Medal--INTAF

Details and recipients

Around 12,000 awards were given out between 1970 and 1981. The last Rhodesian gallantry awards were awarded in June 1980, three months after Zimbabwe's independence. However, Rhodesian long-service decorations continued to be given to police officers and service personnel until June 1982.
The most highly decorated soldier in the Rhodesian Army was Major Grahame Wilson, second-in-command of the Rhodesian SAS, who was awarded the Grand Cross of Valour, Silver Cross of Rhodesia and Bronze Cross of Rhodesia.