Twice a year, Operational Honours and Awards lists are published in the UK’s official public record, The Gazette. The lists recognise the bravery, commitment, and commendable service of British Armed Forces personnel.

What is an Operational Honours and Awards list?

Operational Honours and Awards lists recognise the bravery, commitment, and commendable service of British Armed Forces personnel. The recipients have all shown outstanding courage and dedication while on operations and are awarded in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field.

Awards and honours published in Operational Honours and Awards lists include:

• Order of the British Empire (including M.B.E., O.B.E. and C.B.E.)
• King’s Commendation for Bravery
• King’s Commendation for Valuable Service

British monarchs can also grant restricted or unrestricted permission for the wearing of awards which have been conferred on British Armed Forces personnel by foreign governments and monarchs, or international organisations. These awards are granted for achievements during coalition operations or while on exchange duties.

International awards published in Operational Honours and Awards lists include:

• NATO Meritorious Service Medal
• Legion of Merit (US)
• Médaille de la Défense nationale (France)
• Special Service Medal (Canada)
• Order of the Dannebrog (Denmark)

Where are Operational Honours and Awards lists published?

The Gazette is the official bearer of War Office and Ministry of Defence (MOD) events. For hundreds of years The Gazette has been publishing promotions, honours and awards for gallantry and meritorious service in the British Armed Forces, from the Crimean War to World War 1 and World War 2.

The Gazette publishes Operational Honours and Awards lists twice a year in conjunction with the King’s Birthday Honours list in June and the New Year Honours list in December. You can see the latest Operational Honours and Awards list below.

Latest Operational Honours and Awards list

Celebrate your honour with a commemorative edition

If you or a loved one have been honoured in an Operational Honours and Awards list, The Gazette is available to buy as a personalised commemorative edition. Each pack contains a complete edition of The Gazette from the day the honour was published.

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See also

British armed forces promotions and awards in The Gazette

The King's Birthday Honours list 2024

Birthday and New Year honours supplements (1940 to 2024)

Images

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The Gazette

Publication date

21 August 2024

Any opinion expressed in this article is that of the author and the author alone, and does not necessarily represent that of The Gazette.