The George Cross is the second highest award of the United Kingdom honours system. It is awarded for gallantry “not in the face of the enemy” to members of the British armed forces and to civilians.

In 1942 King George VI recognized the heroism exhibited by the people of Malta by awarding the people of the entire island with the George Cross. He awarded this distinction in a hand-written letter on April 15, 1942.

If you wish to address a letter to someone in Malta, the address should end with “Malta, G.C.”

Letter from King George VI, awarding the George Cross to the entire population of Malta.