History

The Distinguished Flying Medal was established by Royal Warrant on June 3, 1918. It was awarded to military personnel of Commonwealth nations and to British colonies. The Medal was awarded until 1993 when it was permanently discontinued and replaced by the Distinguished Flying Cross.

The Silver Medal was awarded to Non-Commissioned Officers and enlisted men of the Royal Air Force in recognition of acts of bravery during active flying service in the face of the enemy. It could also be awarded to men of equivalent rank in foreign armed forces for acts of valour performed alongside British flying forces, and in 1941, it was extended to equivalent ranks of the Fleet Air Arm.

The Medal could be awarded multiple times to the same recipient, in which case a clasp was worn on the ribbon to denote each additional award. Clasps were inscribed with the year of issue on the reverse after 1939.

Recipients were also entitled to use the post-nominal letters DFM.

There are multiple versions of the medal that differ in the obverse engraving, and the obverse and reverse inscriptions. All medals were issued named, although both the typeface and the style of the inscription changed over time.

There may be additional versions that differ in size.