Distinguished Service Order

Distinguished Service Order
Awarded by United Kingdom and Commonwealth
TypeOrder
Established6 September 1886
EligibilityMembers of the Armed Forces
Awarded for"Distinguished services during active operations against the enemy."
StatusCurrently awarded
SovereignCharles III
GradesCompanion
Statistics
Total inductees
Precedence
Next (higher)Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Next (lower)Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO)

DSO ribbon

The Distinguished Service Order (DSO) is a military award of the United Kingdom, as well as formerly throughout the Commonwealth, conferred for operational gallantry for highly successful command and leadership during active operations, typically in actual combat.

Equal in British precedence of military decorations to the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross and Royal Red Cross, since 1993 the DSO is eligible to all ranks conferred specifically for "highly successful command and leadership during active operations".