King's Commendation for Valuable Service

The King's Commendation for Valuable Service is a British military award for meritorious service in an operational theatre.[1] It was established in 1994,[2] when the award of the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct and the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air were discontinued.[3]

Not to be confused with Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air.
King's Commendation for Valuable Service
Ribbon device
TypeMerit award
Awarded forMeritorious service in an operational theatre
DescriptionRibbon device
Presented bythe United Kingdom
EligibilityPersonnel of the Armed Forces
StatusCurrently awarded
Established1994
Major General Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter wearing ribbon emblems for mention in despatches and Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service

Criteria

A King’s Commendation for Valuable Service is open to all ranks of the British Armed Forces for meritorious service, not in the face of an enemy, in an operational theatre. It is the lowest level of merit award, classed as 'level 4', alongside a Mention in Dispatches and other King's Commendations. The award does not entitle the holder to any post nominal letters.[4]

A King’s Commendation for Valuable Service can be awarded posthumously.[1]

Manner of wear

The holder is entitled to wear an emblem of a spray of silver oak leaves. This should be worn in a similar manner to a mention in despatches. If awarded for services in a theatre for which a campaign medal has been granted, it is worn on the ribbon of the appropriate medal. If the award is made for services where no campaign medal has been granted, the emblem is to be worn directly on the coat after any medal ribbons.[5]

From 2003, in addition to British campaign medals, commendation and mention in despatches devices can be worn on United Nations, NATO and EU medals.[2] Originally only one commendation or mention in dispatches emblem of each category could be worn on any one medal ribbon.[6] In a change introduced in 2014, those with multiple awards may wear up to three of each commendation and mention in dispatch devices on a single campaign medal and ribbon bar.[7]

King's and Queen's Commendation awards

This table summarises the various King's and Queen's Commendations awarded by the United Kingdom:

PeriodFor BraveryFor Bravery (Air)For valuable serviceFor valuable service (Air)
1939 - 1952[8]King's Commendation for
Brave Conduct		––King’s Commendation for
Valuable Service in the Air
1952 - 1994[9]Queen's Commendation for
Brave Conduct		––Queen’s Commendation for
Valuable Service in the Air
1994 - 2022[1]Queen's Commendation for
Bravery		Queen's Commendation for
Bravery in the Air		Queen's Commendation for
Valuable Service		–
2022 - presentKing's Commendation for
Bravery		King's Commendation for
Bravery in the Air		King's Commendation for
Valuable Service		–

References
  1. "Medals: campaigns, descriptions and eligibility". gov.uk. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  2. John Mussell (ed). Medal Yearbook 2015. p. 108. Published by Token Publishing Ltd. Honiton, Devon.
  3. "London Gazette: 12 August 1994 Issue:53760 Page:11527".
  4. "Honours and Awards in the Armed Forces (JSP 761) (V5.0 Oct 16). Appendix 1 to Annex A, page 1A1-2". MoD Joint Services Publication. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  5. "No. 56878". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 March 2003. p. 3355.
  6. MOD, PS12 (Jan 2012). Army Dress Regulations (All Ranks) Part 13 (PDF). MOD. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  7. "Honours and Awards in the Armed Forces (JSP 761) (V5.0 Oct 16). Paras 12.02 and 12.19". MoD Joint Services Publication. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  8. "London Gazette: 24 July 1951 Supplement: 39294 Page:4035".
  9. "London Gazette: 14 January 1958 Supplement: 41285 Page:365".
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