The Rhodesian honours system was established at the time that Rhodesia unilaterally declared itself a republic in March 1970, when a system of military and civil decorations and awards was instituted by Presidential Warrant in November 1970.[1]
Prior to 2 March 1970, Rhodesians were conferred awards in the British honours system.
The list of Rhodesian honours and decorations, in order of precedence, is as follows:
| GCV | - | ALL | |||
| CGD | - | Civilian | |||
| GCLM | None Awarded | Both | |||
| GLM | Both | ||||
| ID | - | Civilian | |||
| ICD | - | Civilian | |||
| CLM | Both | ||||
| PCG | - | Police | |||
| SCR | - | Military | |||
| Prison Cross for Gallantry | RPC | - | Military | ||
| OLM | Both | ||||
| MLM | Both | ||||
| PDG | - | Police | |||
| Bronze Cross of Rhodesia (Army) | BCR | - | Military | ||
| Bronze Cross of Rhodesia (Airforce) | BCR | - | Military | ||
| Bronze Cross of Rhodesia (Guards) | BCR | - | Military | ||
| PCD | - | Police | |||
| DCD | - | Military | |||
| PSC | - | Prison | |||
| MCM | - | Military | |||
| RPM | - | Prison | |||
| MSM | Both | ||||
| PMM | - | Police | |||
| DMM | - | Military | |||
| PMS | - | Prison | |||
| President's Medal for Chiefs[2] | - | - | Chiefs | ||
| - | - | Chiefs | |||
| - | - | Military | |||
| - | - | Prison | |||
| - | - | Police | |||
| ESM | - | ALL | |||
| - | - | Prison | |||
| - | - | ||||
| - | - | Military | |||
| - | - | Fire Brigade | |||
| - | ALL | ||||
| Pres MS | - | ALL | |||
| - | - | Police | |||
| - | - | Military | |||
| - | - | Prison | |||
| - | - | INTAF |
Around 12,000 awards were given out between 1970 and 1981. The last Rhodesian gallantry awards were awarded in June 1980,[1] three months after Zimbabwe's independence. However, Rhodesian long-service decorations continued to be given to police officers and service personnel until June 1982.[3]
The most highly decorated soldier in the Rhodesian Army was Major Grahame Wilson, second-in-command of the Rhodesian SAS, who was awarded the Grand Cross of Valour, Silver Cross of Rhodesia and Bronze Cross of Rhodesia.[4]