Frequently Asked Medallic Questions
Topics
- Review of medals for military service in South-East Asia 1950 to 2011 (consultation closed on 23 August 2011)
- The New Zealand Defence Service Medal
- Compulsory Military Training (CMT) 1950-1959 and National Service 1962-1972 (FAQ updated 15 April 2011)
- Military service in New Zealand since 3 September 1945 (FAQ updated 15 April 2011)
- Eligibility for medals, and replacement of medals and ribbons
- Engraving of medals
- Wearing of medals and ribbons
- Medals for service in the First and Second World Wars
- Medals for operational service, war service or campaign service, including recently created medals, and medals from foreign governments - including for service in Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam
- Service at nuclear tests between 1956 and 1973
- Service related to the Erebus crash of 28 November 1979
- Service in an area devastated by the earthquake and resulting Asian Tsunami of Boxing Day (26 December) 2004
- The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal 2003
- The Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) Medal - for service in Malaya / Malaysia 1957-1966, and in Singapore 1957-1965
- How to find the citations for gallantry awards to New Zealand military personnel since 1914
- United Kingdom military veterans
Review of medals for military service in South-East Asia 1950 to 2011 (consultation closed on 23 August 2011)
Q. Where can I find information on the review of medals for service in South-East Asia since 1950?
A. See the South-East Asia medallic review page of our website.
Q. When was the deadline for putting in a submission about medals for service in South-East Asia?
A. The deadline was Tuesday 23 August 2011. Also see our FAQs about the SE Asia review.
The New Zealand Defence Service Medal
Q. Where can I find information on the New Zealand Defence Service Medal?
A. See the FAQ and Updates - NZ Defence Service Medal page of our website.
Also see: - Applying for the NZDSM online
- Paper application forms for the NZDSM
Compulsory Military Training (CMT) 1950-1959 and National Service 1962-1972 (FAQ updated 15 April 2011)
Q. Is there a New Zealand medal for Compulsory Military Training (CMT)? I served in the 6th CMT intake in 1951.
A. A medal for those who completed their CMT obligations under the Military Training Act 1949 and amendments was instituted in April 2011. For more information see the NZ Defence Service Medal page of our website.
Q. Is there a New Zealand medal for National Service? I completed my National Service in 1967.
A. A medal for those who completed their CMT obligations under the Military Training Act 1949 and amendments was instituted in April 2011. For more information see the NZ Defence Service Medal page of our website.
Military service in New Zealand since 3 September 1945 (FAQ updated 15 April 2011)
Q. Is there a medal for military service in New Zealand? I served for five years in the Royal New Zealand Air Force in the 1960s.
A. A medal for those who have served in the New Zealand military for three years or more since 3 September 1945 (the day after the end of the Second World War) was instituted in 2011. The service qualifying for this medal will include Regular Force service, service in the Territorial Forces (Army, Navy and Air), and completion of Compulsory Military Training (CMT) or national military service obligations. For more information see the NZ Defence Service Medal page of our website.
Eligibility for medals, and replacement of medals and ribbons
Q. I am an ex-service person. How can I find out if I am eligible for any medals?
A. You should complete our electronic contact form for enquiries about medals eligibility or write to the Medals Office, Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force, Private Bag 905, Upper Hutt 5140, stating your full name, rank and official number and your current contact address. The Medals Office staff will research your file and provide you with a response to your question. Alternatively you can check the Medals by Campaign table here.
Q. I have lost or mislaid my medals and would like to know if they can be replaced?
A. Yes, replacement is possible provided you are prepared to sign an official affidavit swearing that you have lost your medals. You should write to the Medals Office, Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force, Private Bag 905, Upper Hutt 5140, stating your full name, rank and official number and your current contact address. The Medals Office staff will send you a copy of the affidavit for you to complete and sign. There will be a cost for your replacement medals.
Q. My father, who died in 1980, served in the Second World War and claimed his medals in 1954. At some stage our family has lost track of his medals. Can I obtain a replacement set from the NZDF?
A. Unfortunately, no. NZDF policy is that replacement medals are only issued (and at cost) during the lifetime of the person to whom they were originally awarded. The best option for you would be to contact a militaria dealer who should be able to sell you a set of the medals your father qualified for. Because Second World War medals were issued without being engraved, there should be no obvious difference between the medals your father originally received and a replacement set of original Second World War medals. Militaria dealers are often listed under 'Coin Dealers' in your local Telecom Yellowpages.
Q. Some of the ribbons on my medals have been badly damaged. Can I replace them?
A. Yes, you should write to the Medals Office, Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force, Private Bag 905, Upper Hutt 5140 listing the ribbons you need.
Engraving of medals
Q. My grandfather's medals for service for New Zealand during the Second World War are not engraved. Should these medals have been engraved?
A. Campaign medals awarded for service for New Zealand during the Second World War were issued unengraved. The same no engraving policy was applied by other British Commonwealth countries, except for Australia and South Africa.
Wearing of medals and ribbons
Order of Wear
Q. Where can I find the official Order of Wear for medals by New Zealanders?
A. The official New Zealand Order of Wear is maintained by the Honours Unit, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. The current version of the official New Zealand Order of Wear is published on the Honours Unit website. A guide to the correct order of wear of New Zealand orders, decorations and medals, based on the official New Zealand Order of Wear, is provided on the NZDF Medals website.
New Zealand Fire Service
Q. Can I wear the New Zealand Fire Brigades Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (NZFBLSGCM) on New Zealand military uniform?
A. Yes, the NZFBLSGCM is an official medal issued by the New Zealand Government and so can be worn on New Zealand military uniform. The position of the NZFBLSGCM can be seen in our website's guide to the correct order of wear of New Zealand orders, decorations and medals.
Q. Can I wear the New Zealand Rural Fire Force (NZRFF) long service medal, the NZRFF volunteers medal and the United Fire Brigades Association Service Medal on New Zealand military uniform?
A. No. The medals of the various fire associations, United Fire Brigades Association, Fire Police Association, NZ Rural Fire Force or the International Year of the Volunteer, whilst highly regarded by the recipients, are nevertheless unofficial and thus may not be worn on NZDF or NZ Police uniform, and they must not be mounted with official medals. Only official medals, usually from Her Majesty The Queen or the Head of State of a foreign Government, are allowed to be worn on NZDF or NZ Police uniform or with official NZ medals.
Q. I hold the New Zealand General Service Medal (Solomon Islands) and the New Zealand Operational Service Medal. Am I I allowed to wear my ribbon bar with my New Zealand Fire Service uniform?
A. The New Zealand Fire Service is a Government agency within a country for which Her Majesty The Queen is the Head of State. Therefore, all awards approved for wear in the official Order of Wear may be worn on the Fire Service uniform and any other official New Zealand agency uniform. A Government agency may stipulate that no medals or ribbons are be worn on their uniform. However, a Government agency may not stipulate that only their own Long Service and Good Conduct Medal be worn on their uniform.
Medals for service in the First and Second World Wars
Q. My grandfather served in the First World War. Have his medals been issued? How do I find out what medals he was awarded?
A. Information on how to find out the answers is given on the Application Forms page of our website under the heading 'First World War service'.
Q. My great-grandfather died at Gallipoli. Has anyone claimed the ANZAC Commemorative Medallion?
A. Information on how to find out the answer is given on the Application Forms page of our website under the heading 'First World War service'.
Q. My uncle never spoke much about his service in the Second World War. He died ten years ago. What medals did he earn? Did he ever apply for those medals?
A. Information on how to find out the answers is given on the Application Forms page of our website under the heading 'Second World War service'.
Q. I found my father's Second World War medals in an old box in his attic. He has never worn them. They are not mounted, and the ribbons, stars and round medals are all mixed together in a random pile. Neither he or I can figure out which ribbon belongs to which star or medal. Can you tell us which go together?
A. You should be able to match the ribbons and medals using the thumbnail images of Second World War medals on our website. If there are some other medals in the same box (perhaps awarded for gallantry), you may be able to identify these via the other thumbnail images on the same page. If there are still some mystery medals please feel free to contact us by one of the options listed in the General Enquiries section of our website. A photo would assist us to answer your question (though we are still working on upgrading our Contact Form to accept images or forms being uploaded, so we may need to send you an e-mail address to send the digital photo too).
You can also search the thumbnail images for medals from other wars or other periods of military service, including the First World War and the South African / Boer War. Or search the thumbnail images of just the ribbons by themselves.
Medals for operational service, war service or campaign service, including recently created medals, and medals from foreign governments
a) All operational service since 3 September 1945- including Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam
Q. I have heard that there is a medal for all operational service since 3 September 1945. My brother died in Korea and as far as I know I am his sole remaining next of kin. Can I receive the medal on his behalf?
A. This medal is the New Zealand Operational Service Medal and it was instituted in 2002. You will need to write to the Medals Office, Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force, Private Bag 905, Upper Hutt 5140 with the following information: your brother's full name, rank and number as well as your full name, proof of relationship and current contact details. The Medals Office staff will contact you to answer your question.
b) Korea
Q. I have a friend who wears the Korean War Service Medal on his medal bar. Although he did serve in Korea, I have been told that he is not entitled to wear this medal. Is that correct?
A. Your friend is entitled to wear the medal. In 2001 The Queen approved the unrestricted wear of the Korean War Service Medal by former New Zealand military personnel. It is, however, worn at the right hand end of the medal bar with other 'foreign awards', immediately after any long service awards, but before any 'foreign awards' for later service (such as the South Vietnamese Campaign Medal).
c) Malaysia
Q. I have heard that the Government of Malaysia has recently offered a medal to New Zealand to recognise service by New Zealanders during the Malayan Emergency and the Indonesian Confrontation. Is this information correct?
A. The full answer is given in the Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) Medal section below.
d) Vietnam
Q. I served in Vietnam in 1970 with Victor Company. I have been awarded the Vietnam Medal for that service. Am I also eligible for the New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 (Warlike) with clasp "Vietnam"?
A. Yes, a person who served in Vietnam between 1 December 1962 and 27 January 1973 and has been awarded the Vietnam Medal, will be eligible for the NZGSM with clasp "Vietnam". Acting Prime Minister Jim Anderton told the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association's annual meeting in Wellington on 1 October 2007 that the Government has agreed to extend the eligibility for the NZGSM with clasp "Vietnam" to those veterans who are currently eligible for the Vietnam Medal. New regulations for the NZGSM with clasp "Vietnam" are being prepared and they will give effect to the decision shortly. (More information on Jim Anderton's announcement can be found on the Archived News 2007 page of this website).
You will also be eligible for the New Zealand Operational Service Medal, if you have not yet applied for this medal which was instituted in 2002.
Update 29 February 2008: Applications for the NZGSM with clasp "Vietnam" are now being accepted. Application forms can be downloaded from the medal application forms page of this website.
Service at nuclear tests between 1956 and 1973
Q. I have heard that there is a medal for service at atmospheric nuclear tests at Christmas Island. Am I eligible for this medal?
A. This medal is the New Zealand Special Service Medal (Nuclear Testing). The dates of service which are recognised by this medal are listed in the Regulations for this medal. If you believe you are eligible, you should write to the Medals Office, Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force, Private Bag 905, Upper Hutt 5140, stating your full name, rank and official number and your current contact address. The Medals Office staff will research your file, and provide you with a response to your question.
Q.Does the award of the New Zealand Special Service Medal (Nuclear Testing) entitle me to the award of the New Zealand Operational Service Medal?
A. No, the award of the New Zealand Special Service Medal (Nuclear Testing) or any other NZSSM does not qualify a recipient for the award of the New Zealand Operational Service Medal (NZOSM). This is because the NZOSM is only awarded for operational service.
Service related to the Erebus crash of 28 November 1979
Q. I have heard that there is a medal for service related to the Erebus crash of 28 November 1979. Am I eligible for this medal?
A. This medal is the New Zealand Special Service Medal (Erebus). The dates and locations of service which are recognised by this medal are listed in the Regulations for this medal. If you believe you are eligible, please send a completed application form to the Assistant Director Medals Policy, Personnel Branch, Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force, Private Bag, Wellington, New Zealand. HQNZDF staff will assess your application, and provide you with a response to your question.
Q.Does the award of the New Zealand Special Service Medal (Erebus) entitle me to the award of the New Zealand Operational Service Medal?
A. No, the award of the New Zealand Special Service Medal (Erebus) or any other NZSSM does not qualify a recipient for the award of the New Zealand Operational Service Medal (NZOSM). This is because the NZOSM is only awarded for operational service.
Service in an area devastated by the earthquake and resulting Asian Tsunami of Boxing Day (26 December) 2004
Q. I have heard that there is a medal for service in an area devastated by the earthquake and resulting Asian Tsunami of Boxing Day 2004 . Am I eligible for this medal?
A. This medal is the New Zealand Special Service Medal (Asian Tsunami). Information on the types of service, and the required number of days of service, which are recognised by this medal are listed in the Regulations for this medal, and on the NZSSM (Asian Tsunami) information and application form page of the NZDF Medals website. Only service between 26 December 2004 and 26 December 2005 can be recognised by the award of this medal. The list announced by Prime Minister Helen Clark and Minister of Defence Phil Goff on 26 December 2005, of the 163 people initially identified as eligible to receive the NZSSM (Asian Tsunami) can be found on the NZSSM (Asian Tsunami) initial list of 163 eligible persons page of the NZDF Medals website. If you believe you are eligible, and are not on this initial list, you should send a completed application form to the Assistant Director Medals Policy, Personnel Branch, Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force, Private Bag, Wellington, New Zealand. HQNZDF staff will assess your application, and provide you with a response to your question. New Zealand Defence Force personnel and New Zealand Police personnel, whose names do not appear on the initial list of recipients, should note that their eligibility for the NZSSM (Asian Tsunami) is currently being assessed by either HQNZDF or the New Zealand Police.
Q.Does the award of the New Zealand Special Service Medal (Asian Tsunami) entitle me to the award of the New Zealand Operational Service Medal?
A. No, the award of the New Zealand Special Service Medal (Asian Tsunami) or any other NZSSM does not qualify a recipient for the award of the New Zealand Operational Service Medal (NZOSM). This is because the NZOSM is only awarded for operational service.
The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal 2003
Q. While serving on exchange with a British unit in Bosnia in 2003 my British colleagues were presented with The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal 2003. Am I entitled to receive and wear this medal?
A. There is no approval for New Zealanders to accept and wear The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal (QGJM). The QGJM was instituted for uniformed members of the United Kingdom Armed Forces. including the Volunteer Reserves, Cadet Officers, Cadet Adult Instructors and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Subsequently, it was announced that members of the United Kingdom Emergency Services would also receive the medal. The basis of eligibility was the completion of five years or more qualifying service for individuals who were serving on 6 February 2002, the date of the 50th anniversary of The Queen's accession. This medal was, therefore, never offered to New Zealand.
Please note that British personnel who have been officially awarded this medal and who later join the NZDF will be entitled to wear this medal on their NZDF uniform, as per their other British service medals.
The Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) Medal
- for service in Malaya / Malaysia 1957-1966, and in Singapore 1957-1965
Q. I have heard that the Government of Malaysia has recently awarded a medal to New Zealand to recognise service by New Zealanders during the Malayan Emergency and the Indonesian Confrontation. Is this information correct?
A. The Government of Malaysia has offered the Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) medal to former New Zealand service personnel who served for a minimum of 90 days in Malaya or Malaysia between 31 August 1957 and 31 December 1966, or in Singapore between 31 August 1957 and 9 August 1965. In 2005, Her Majesty The Queen has given Her approval for the unrestricted acceptance and wear of the PJM medal by those ex-New Zealand service persons who are deemed eligible to receive it.
The 7 September 2005 media statement by Prime Minister Helen Clark and Minister of Defence Mark Burton announcing Her Majesty's acceptance of the PJM medal can be viewed on the Archived News 2005 page of the NZDF Medals website. The 11 July 2005 media statement by Prime Minister Helen Clark and Minister of Defence Mark Burton about the offer of the PJM medal is also included on the Archived News 2005 page of the NZDF Medals website.
Further details on the eligibility criteria, and downloadable application forms, can be found on the PJM medal information and application forms page of the NZDF Medals website.
How to find the citations for gallantry awards to New Zealand military personnel Since 1914
Q.My grandfather was awarded a Military Medal for gallantry during the Second World War. How to I find out why he was awarded the Military Medal?
A. Information on how to find the citations for gallantry awards to New Zealand military personnel for acts of gallantry since 1914 can be found here.
United Kingdom military veterans
Q. I served in the British Army in Malaya in the 1950s. How can I find out if I am eligible for any medals?
A. Please contact The Medal Office, United Kingdom Ministry of Defence.
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This page was last reviewed 21 December, 2011 and is current.
