THE NEW ZEALAND GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL 1992 - WARLIKE (NEAR EAST)

Obverse: A Crowned Effigy of the Sovereign.

Reverse: The inscription "THE NEW ZEALAND GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL" within a wreath of New Zealand flora (Pohutukawa blossom, fern fronds, and kowhai blossom) ensigned by a Royal Crown.

Size: 36mm in diameter.

Ribbon: 32mm wide. Dark blue with a light red centre and a narrow central black stripe.

Suspension: By a plain straight suspender.

Clasps Issued: 4

This medal was instituted on 7th May 1992. It was issued in silver to recognise service in warlike operations for which no separate New Zealand or British Commonwealth campaign medal was issued. By the time it was replaced in 2002, four clasps had been issued for warlike operations between 1956 and 1991 in the Suez Canal region, Malaya, Vietnam and Kuwait.

The medal was awarded with a clasp to describe where an individual served. It is worn as a war medal, in order of date of qualification. The New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 has also been issued in bronze for non-warlike operations.

The design and colours of the ribbon are based upon The New Zealand Medal 1845-1847 and 1860-1866, thus are directly linked with the beginnings of New Zealand's military history. As the first occasion upon which New Zealand had issued a war or warlike service medal outside of the two World Wars or the Vietnam War it was considered that the link with the first military campaigns in New Zealand best reflected New Zealand's military heritage.

The clasp "NEAR EAST" was instituted on 23rd July 2002.
Qualifying Service:
A member of the New Zealand Naval Forces (within the meaning of the Navy Act 1954) qualifies for the award of the Medal and the Clasp who:-
(a) served for 1 day or more in ships engaged in operations off the Egyptian coast between 31 October and 22 December 1956; and
(b) did not qualify for the award of The Naval General Service Medal (1915-62) with the Clasp "NEAR EAST".

Other clasps have been awarded for:
Malaya 1960-64
Vietnam
Kuwait

Royal Warrant For This Award: View Warrant (PDF document)

Regulations For This Award: View Regulations (PDF document)

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