Distinguished Service Order
| Distinguished Service Order | |
|---|---|
| Obverse and reverse (reign of George V) | |
| Awarded by United Kingdom and Commonwealth | |
| Type | Order |
| Established | 6 September 1886 |
| Eligibility | Members of the Armed Forces |
| Awarded for | "Distinguished services during active operations against the enemy." |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Sovereign | Charles III |
| Grades | Companion |
| 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 | |
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The Distinguished Service Order (DSO) is a military award of the United Kingdom, as well as formerly throughout the Commonwealth, awarded 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 awarded specifically for "highly successful command and leadership during active operations".