The design of the Cross has not changed during its life, but the ribbon has, initially awards to the Navy had a dark blue ribbon and those of the Army a crimson one. The Cross was issued named, and in the case of those awarded during the Second World War, name, rank, serial number and unit are engraved in plain capitals on the reverse of the bar, while the date of the award is engraved in three lines on the central medallion. For subsequent awards, a Bar similar to that of the sudspension bar was added as a slip-on. There were 182 awards of the Cross and one first Bar during the Second World War. The Cross can be conferred upon officers, non-commissioned officers and men of all three armed forces as well as members of the merchant marine and auxiliary forces under military command.
Women are also eligible for the awars, although none have so far received one.
Civilians can also be awarded the Cross if they are caught up in fighting and come under the control of the armed forces. Army and Navy personnel had the general qualification of six months in an operational area. The RAF aircrews had to complete two months' service in an operational area and to have been involved in flying operations against the enemy. RAF ground forces had to complete the six month qualification period in an operational Army command. Service that was terminated by death or disability due to service, rendered the recipient eligible for the award of the Star.