Military Cross medal and original case of Captain Donald Harley, MC in the Seaforth Highlander of Canada Museum and Archives. He was awarded this medal for his actions at Ortona on 21 December 1943 where he was wounded. On rear: "Capt D. Harley (Ortona) / 21.12.43 1944 / B.Hacket 02/2001 DH 1/3/ Photo 1 of 3 The Military Cross was instituted on December 31st, 1914 as a recognition of distinguished and meritorious service in battle in situations not sufficient to merit the Victoria Cross. The Military Cross can be awarded to commissioned officers of the substantive rank of Captain or below or Warrant Officers. On each arm of the silver-coloured Military Cross is an Imperial Crown and in the centre of the award is the ‘Imperial’ and ‘Royal Cypher’ of GVI (King George VI). The reverse of the award is plain with the year of the award engraved on the lower arm. The white ribbon is 1.375 inches wide with a central vertical purple stripe (0.5 inches wide). The bar is made of silver with a crown in the centre. During the Second World War, so far as known up till now, a total of 10.776 MC's were awarded to British and Commonwealth military. A total of 3,727 Military Crosses have been awarded to Canadians, with 324 first bars and 18 second bars.