Owen I kindly refer you to my post #13. It's what is meant that counts and, as long as it's understood, not, in my mind, the actual words used.
Aren't medals sometimes given out directly on the field? Generals like Patton used to carry a box of medals with them, and George used to just love handing them out on the spot. This type of medal is won. A medal that has been recommended by an officer after the fact, and is the result of an investigation or report of some kind, I believe those medals are awarded. After all, if you are to recieve a medal from His Majesty the King, maybe it's a little too informal for the king to do anything other than bestow. What about postumous medals? A deceased man hardly seems a winner. Or am I placing too much store in the usefulness of an article such as this?
This was found in a War Diary for 1944, can't remember for certain which formation, probably GAD. British and presumably Commonwealth procedures for Honours and Awards: and further instructions for completion of Army Form W.3121 And another, found in WO 373/11
No Medal is ever won as this would mean they were in competition with each other, to receive such medals as the victory cross a person would have to been outstanding in a gallant manner to be awarded them. If you think about the many battles that have been fought during conflicts the V C medal is only awarded to the soldiers that have gone above and beyond their call of duty. So no it is not won it is awarded.