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The George Cross (GC) is second in the order of wear in the United Kingdom honours system,〔Also known as the Imperial or British honours system and includes some countries of the Commonwealth of Nations〕 and takes precedence over all other orders, decorations and medals, except the Victoria Cross. The GC is the highest gallantry award for civilians, as well as for members of the armed forces in actions for which purely military honours would not normally be granted.〔Mussell, J.W. (Editor), (2012), ''Medal Yearbook 2013'', (Token Publishing Ltd: Devon)〕 ==Creation== The George Cross was instituted on 24 September 1940 by King George VI.〔British Gallantry Medals, p. 138〕 At this time, during the height of the Blitz, there was a strong desire to reward the many acts of civilian courage. The existing awards open to civilians were not judged suitable to meet the new situation, therefore it was decided that the George Cross and the George Medal would be instituted to recognise both civilian gallantry in the face of enemy action and brave deeds more generally. Announcing the new award, the King said: The medal was designed by Percy Metcalfe. The Warrant for the GC (along with that of the GM), dated 24 September 1940, was published in the ''London Gazette'' on 31 January 1941. The GC replaced the Empire Gallantry Medal (EGM); all holders of the EGM were instructed to exchange their medals for a GC, a substitution of awards unprecedented in the history of British decorations. This substitution policy ignored holders of the Albert Medal (AM) and the Edward Medal (EM), awards which both took precedence over the EGM.〔British Gallantry Awards, p. 138〕 The anomaly was rectified in 1971, when the surviving recipients of the AM and the EM became George Cross recipients and were invited to exchange their medal for the George Cross. Of the 64 holders of the Albert Medal and 68 holders of the Edward Medal eligible to exchange, 49 and 59 respectively took up the option.〔(George Cross Database. ) Retrieved on 12 September 2007.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「George Cross」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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