<P> As of 2017, there are 20 living recipients of the George Cross, including three former recipients of the Albert Medal for Lifesaving and one former recipient of the Edward Medal, who voluntarily exchanged their medals for the George Cross in 1971 when it replaced both . </P> <P> The George Cross (GC) is the highest civil decoration of the United Kingdom and other member states of the Commonwealth of Nations . It is the highest gallantry award for civilians of any rank or profession, and is primarily intended to be a civil award . Military personnel may be awarded the George Cross for actions not in the face of the enemy or for actions not normally meriting a purely military award . The George Cross was officially constituted on 24 September 1940 by King George VI as a way to recognise civilian courage . It recognises "acts of the greatest heroism or of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger". </P> <P> Initially, the Empire Gallantry Medal recognised acts of the highest bravery . The George Cross succeeded the Empire Gallantry Medal and all those living that had been awarded the medal, and all posthumous awards from the outbreak of World War II, were obliged to exchange their medal for the George Cross . In 1971, the living recipients of the Albert Medal and Edward Medal were invited to exchange their medals for the George Cross; 24 recipients elected not to exchange their medal . </P>

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