The entire country awarded the George Cross medal for bravery during World War II was Malta. On April 15, 1942, King George VI awarded the George Cross to the people of Malta in recognition of their heroic and unwavering resistance against continuous and severe Axis bombing and a naval blockade. The island of Malta, of vital strategic importance in the Mediterranean, suffered relentless attacks, with the population enduring extreme hardship and showing exceptional courage and resilience. The George Cross is even featured on the Maltese flag as a lasting symbol of this bravery.