Mentioned in Dispatches

Mentioned in Dispatches (MID) is a military award for gallantry or otherwise commendable service. The award is relatively common, does not confer a medal and is relatively low in the order of precedence.

Related Topics:
Military - Medal

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A dispatch is an official report from a senior commander, usually of an army, to his superiors, detailing the conduct of military operations. In the British military, this report is published in the London Gazette. If a subordinate officer or soldier performs a noteworthy action included in the report, he is said to have been "mentioned in dispatches".

Related Topics:
Dispatch - Army - London Gazette

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In the nations of the British Commonwealth, soldiers who are mentioned in dispatches receive a certificate and are entitled to wear a bronze oak leaf on the ribbon of the service medal issued to soldiers who served in a conflict. If no campaign medal is awarded, the oak leaf is worn on the collar of dress uniform.

Related Topics:
British Commonwealth - Bronze - Oak leaf

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Soldiers can be mentioned multiple times but, other than receiving a certificate for each mention, they wear no visible sign. Australian general H.G. Bennett was mentioned in dispatches a total of eight times during WWI. British WWI Victoria Cross winner, John Vereker, 6th Viscount Gort, was mentioned in dispatches nine times.

Related Topics:
Australia - H.G. Bennett - Victoria Cross - John Vereker, 6th Viscount Gort

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During the American Civil War, the Confederate Army offered no awards or medals. However, General Lee would mention soldiers and units in his dispatches, and this was considered to be the highest honor in and amongst Confederate soldiers.

Related Topics:
American Civil War - Confederate Army - General Lee

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