The British Victoria Cross is the most prestigious award in the world. It was instituted in 1856 and 1.354 have been awarded since then. Only 14 foreigners (outside the Commonwealth) have been awarded the Victoria Cross. Three of them born in Denmark.

During the First World War, two Danes were awarded the Victoria Cross:

Jensen, Jørgen Christian

as a private in the 50th Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force.

Jørgen Jensen, was born at Loegstoer, Denmark, on 15 January 1891. He emigrated to Australia in March 1909 at the age of 18 years and became an Australian citizen on 7 September 1914. He fought in the Australian army from 1915 to 1918. He died in Australia in 1922 and is buried in Adelaide.

Citation: On 2 April 1917 at Noreuil, France, Private Jensen, with five comrades, attacked a barricade behind which were about 45 of the enemy and a machine-gun. One of the party shot the gunner and Private Jensen rushed the post and threw in a bomb. Then, with a bomb in each hand, he threatened the rest and made them surrender. He sent one of his prisoners to another group of the enemy, ordering them to surrender, which they did, but our troops began firing on them, whereupon Private Jensen, regardless of danger, stood on the barricade waving his helmet, and the firing stopped. He then sent his prisoners back to our lines.

Dinesen, Thomas

After the outbreak of the First World War, Dinesen went to Canada where he volunteered to serve in the Canadian army. He was sent to Europe in the 42nd Battalion of the Quebec Regiment (Royal Highlanders of Canada).

Citation: On 12 August 1918 at Parvillers, France, Private Dinesen displayed conspicuous bravery during 10 hours of hand-to-hand fighting which resulted in the capture of over a mile of strongly defended enemy trenches. Five times in succession he rushed forward alone and put hostile guns out of action, accounting for 12 of the enemy with bomb and bayonet. His sustained valour inspired his comrades at a very critical stage of the action.

He later achieved the rank of Lieutenant.

Lassen, Anders Frederik Emil Victor Schau

Of the 182 Victoria Crosses awarded during the Second World War, only one was awarded to a foreigner, Anders Lassen.

Anders Lassen was one of the many Danes that were left stranded outside Denmark, when the country was occupied by Germany in April 1940. In 1941 he volunteered into the British Commando force and participated in a number of attacks, at German positions in France and at the Greek archipelago. He advanced to become a major in the Special Boat Service of the 1st S.A.S. Regiment.

Citation: On 8 April 1945 at Lake Comacchio, Italy, Major Lassen was ordered to take a patrol and raid the north shore of the lake, causing as many casualties and as much confusion as possible to give the impression of a major landing. In the face of overwhelming enemy numbers he fulfilled his mission, three positions being wiped out, and when he was mortally wounded he refused to be evacuated so that the withdrawal should not be impeded and his men's lives endangered.

He was killed in this action and awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously.