The Military Cross (MC) was first created in December of 1914 to allow officers who were ranked Captain and below as well as Warrant Officers to receive a reward for shows of gallantry. Those with higher ranks were able to already receive the DSO medal for similar acts.
However, as with most medals, after the year 1993 all qualifying Army officers are now able to receive recognition for their acts of gallantry and are eligible to receive the Military Cross.
During WWI 37,000 Military Cross medals were awarded out of which 3000 received first bars, 170 second bars, and four received third bars. (Each bar symbolizes receiving the distinction an additional time, 1 bar = 2 awards, 2 bars = awards, etc.) In WWII 10,000 medals were passed out but only 500 received first bars showing that they were considered higher marks of distinctions as time passed on.
For further lists of who has received the Military Cross the London Gazette published a full list and citations were made for those who received the special distinction during World War I.
Those who received the Military Cross post 1940 also had the additional honour of the year of receipt caved onto the lower portion of the cross.
