The medal was a sterling silver cross worn on the breast, with at its centre a roundel containing a device of a lion's head and the legend FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE, while the reverse was blank.

19 awards of the Defence Cross for Distinguished Service were made between 1970 and 1979.

[1] Recipients included Army Generals Peter Walls, Derry McIntyre, and Bruce Campling.

The Defence Cross for Distinguished Service fell into abeyance following Zimbabwe Rhodesia's adoption of majority rule in 1979, and the country's transformation into Zimbabwe a year later.

It has been partially replaced by the military division of the Zimbabwean Medal for Meritorious Service.