Those granted eligibility were Canadian World War II merchant mariners; Auxiliary Services personnel, engaged and paid by the Canadian Legion, Knights of Columbus, Salvation Army and the YMCA; The Corps of Canadian (Civilian) Fire Fighters who served in the United Kingdom and helped fight the fires during the Blitz; Overseas Welfare Workers and the Voluntary Aid Detachments; Ferry Command pilots and aircrew under contract to deliver aircraft from North America; and British Commonwealth Air Training Plan Instructors.

[3] On June 6, 2003, eligibility was extended to members and reserve constables of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police who voluntarily served during the Second World War.

The obverse depicts seven marching figures, representing men and women of the army, air force, navy and nursing service.

The bar bears the word DIEPPE in relief on a pebbled background, below the Combined Operations emblem – an anchor surmounted by an eagle and a Thompson sub-machine gun.

It is silver and depicts a four engined World War II era bomber in the center, superimposed on a pebbled background.

[12] The first bars were presented on August 26, 2013, by Minister of Veterans Affairs Julian Fantino in a ceremony at the Canadian Forces College in Toronto.