Orders, decorations, and medals of Rhodesia

The list of Rhodesian honours and decorations, in order of precedence, is as follows:

• The Grand Cross of Valour (G.C.V.)
• The Conspicuous Gallantry Decoration (C.G.D.)
• The Grand Commander of the Legion of Merit (G.C.L.M.)
• The Grand Officer of the Legion of Merit (G.L.M.)
• The Independence Decoration (I.D.)
• The Independence Commemorative Decoration (I.C.D.)
• Commander of the Legion of Merit (C.L.M.)
• Police Cross for Conspicuous Gallantry (P.C.G.)
• The Silver Cross of Rhodesia (S.C.R.)
• Prison Cross for Gallantry (R.P.C.)
• Officer of the Legion of Merit (O.L.M.)
• The Member of the Legion of Merit (M.L.M.)
• The Police Decoration for Gallantry (P.D.G.)
• The Bronze Cross of Rhodesia (B.C.R.)
• The Police Cross for Distinguished Service (P.C.D.)
• The Defence Cross for Distinguished Service (D.C.D.)
• The Rhodesia Prison Cross for Distinguished Service (P.S.C.)
• The Meritorious Conduct Medal (M.C.M.)
• The Rhodesia Prison Medal for Gallantry (R.P.M.)
• The Medal for Meritorious Service (M.S.M.)
• The Police Medal for Meritorious Service (P.M.M.)
• The Defence Forces' Medal for Meritorious Service (D.M.M.)
• The Rhodesia Prison Medal for Meritorious Service (P.M.S.)
• The President’s Medal for Chiefs
• The President’s Medal for Headmen
• The Military Forces’ Commendation
• The Director’s Commendation (Prisons)
• The Police Long Service Medal
• The Exemplary Service Medal
• The Prison Long Service Medal
• Police Reserve Long Service Medal
• The Medal for Territorial or Reserve Service
• Fire Brigade Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
• The Rhodesia Badge of Honour
• The President’s Medal for Shooting

In addition, the General Service Medal was awarded for military and police service; the Prison General Service Medal for prison service, and a District Service Medal for the Department of Internal Affairs.

Around 12,000 awards were given out between 1970 and 1981. The last Rhodesian gallantry awards were awarded in June 1980,[1] three months after Zimbabwe's independence. However, Rhodesian long-service decorations continued to be given to police officers and service personnel until June 1982.[2]

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.[3]

• Zimbabwean honours system

• Pittaway, J, and Fourie, C., 2003. SAS Rhodesia, Dandy Agencies, South Africa. ISBN 0-620-29347-0
• Saffery, D., 2006. The Rhodesia Medal Roll, Jeppestown Press, United Kingdom. ISBN 0-9553936-0-4
• Rhodesian Militaria: Medals - Detailed photos & descriptions of genuine Rhodesian military medals.