Portal:Military history of Australia/Selected article/10

The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest recognition for valour "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces of any rank in any service, and civilians under military command. It is also the highest military award in the British and Australian honours systems. The decoration is a cross pattée, 1.375 inches (35 mm) wide, bearing a crown surmounted by a lion, and the inscription "FOR VALOUR". This was originally to have been "FOR BRAVERY", until it was changed on the recommendation of Queen Victoria, who thought some might erroneously consider that only the recipients of the VC were brave in battle. The decoration, suspension bar and link weigh about 0.87 troy ounces (27 g). In total 100 Australians have been awarded the Victoria Cross. Of these, 96 have received the Imperial version of the award, and five have received the Victoria Cross for Australia. The first recipient received the award during the Second Boer War, while the most recent was during the War in Afghanistan.