The George Cross is awarded “to the island fortress of Malta” by King George VI.

The island was a British colony from 1813 to 1964 and the George Cross was awarded to the island of Malta in April 1942 by King George VI. This was during the Siege of Malta by Italy and Germany in the early part of World War II. The George Cross was incorporated into the flag of Malta beginning in 1943 and remains on the current design of the flag.