Awards and decorations of the Irish Defence Forces

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Though Ireland has no formal honours system, there are systems of awards run by the state. [1] Among those systems is the system of awards and medals awarded to members of the Defence Forces. [2]

Contents

In addition to the medals issued by the Irish government, members of the Defence Forces are also allowed to wear medals denoting overseas service. These medals are issued by International organisations like the United Nations, NATO, and the European Union as well as medals from other countries for United Nations Mandated peacekeeping missions.

Defence Forces medals

EmblemDescriptionEstablishedEligibility PeriodRemarks
Military Medal for Gallantry
(Irish : An Bonn Míleata Calmachta)
IRL Military Medal for Gallantry with Honour.svg   Military Medal for Gallantry with Honour
 (Irish : An Bonn Míleata Calmachta le hOnóir)
19441944–presentKnown until January 1984 as Military Medal for Gallantry (1st Class). As of 2010, no medal of this class has yet been awarded. [3]
IRL Military Medal for Gallantry with Distinction.svg   Military Medal for Gallantry with Distinction
 (Irish : An Bonn Míleata Calmachta le Dearscnacht)
19441944–presentKnown until January 1984 as Military Medal for Gallantry (2nd Class). Six medals of this class have been awarded since its creation. [4]
IRL Military Medal for Gallantry with Merit.svg   Military Medal for Gallantry with Merit
 (Irish : An Bonn Míleata Calmachta le Tuillteanas)
19441944–presentKnown until January 1984 as Military Medal for Gallantry (3rd Class). Two medals of this class have been awarded since its creation. [5]
Distinguished Service Medal
(Irish : An Bonn Seirbhíse Dearscna)
IRL Distinguished Service Medal with Honour.svg   Distinguished Service Medal with Honour
 (Irish : An Bonn Seirbhíse Dearscna le hOnóir)
18 Feb 196418 Feb 1964–presentKnown until January 1984 as Distinguished Service Medal (1st Class). [6]
IRL Distinguished Service Medal with Distinction.svg   Distinguished Service Medal with Distinction
 (Irish : An Bonn Seirbhíse Dearscna le Dearscnacht)
18 Feb 196418 Feb 1964–presentKnown until January 1984 as Distinguished Service Medal (2nd Class). [7]
IRL Distinguished Service Medal with Merit.svg   Distinguished Service Medal with Merit
 (Irish : An Bonn Seirbhíse Dearscna le Tuillteanas)
18 Feb 196418 Feb 1964–presentKnown until January 1984 as Distinguished Service Medal (3rd Class). [8]
IRL Good Conduct Medal.svg Good Conduct Medal
(Irish : An Bonn Dea-Iompair)
16 Sep 1987 – 30 Jan 1990No longer awarded. [9]
Service Medal
(Irish : An Bonn Seirbhíse)
IRL Service Medal.svg   Service Medal
  (Irish : An Bonn Seirbhíse)
-presentAwarded to privates and NCOs after 10 years' service. [10]
IRL Service Medal - gold stripe.svg   Service Medal
  (Irish : An Bonn Seirbhíse)
-presentAwarded to privates and NCOs after 15 years' service in exchange for their previous medal. Awarded to commissioned officers after 15 years' service; officers receive a bar after 20 years' service. [10]
Service Medal FCÁ and SM
(Irish : An Bonn Seirbhíse FCÁ agus SM)
IRL Service Medal FCA and SM.svg   Service Medal FCÁ and SM
  (Irish : An Bonn Seirbhíse FCÁ agus SM)
Jun 1961Jun 1961–Awarded to privates, NCOs and Officers of the Reserve Defence Forces after 7 years' service. [11]
IRL Service Medal FCA and SM - gold stripe.svg   Service Medal FCÁ and SM
  (Irish : An Bonn Seirbhíse FCÁ agus SM)
Jun 1961Jun 1961–Ribbon and bar awarded to privates, NCOs and Officers of the Reserve Defence Forces after 12 years service which replaces the ribbon of the service medal awarded after 7 years. After 21 years, a bar with the numbers "21" inscribed is awarded and worn on the ribbon. [11]
Emergency Service Medal
(Irish : An Bonn Seirbhíse Éigeandála)
IRL Emergency Service Medal - issues 1-7.svg   Emergency Service Medal
 (Irish : An Bonn Seirbhíse Éigeandála)
Oct 19443 Sep 1939 – 31 Mar 1946Awarded to members of the Permanent Defence Force, the Slua Muirí, the Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil, Fórsa na nÓglach, 26th Infantry Battalion, the Army Nursing Service, and the Defence Forces Chaplaincy Service. [12]
IRL Emergency Service Medal - issues 8-11.svg   Emergency Service Medal
 (Irish : An Bonn Seirbhíse Éigeandála)
Oct 19443 Sep 1939 – 31 Mar 1946Awarded to members of the Local Security Force, the First Aid Division and Volunteer Aid Section of the Irish Red Cross Society, and the Air Raid Precautions Organisation. [12]
Other medals awarded by the Defence Forces
IRL Military Star.svg Military Star
(Irish : An Réalt Míleata)
28 Jun 1958–presentAwarded posthumously to those members of the Permanent Defence Forces who are killed or fatally wounded by direct result of hostile action or an act perpetrated by an enemy, opposing armed force, hostile belligerent or other party, involving the use of firepower or other lethal weapon. Qualifying service is outside Ireland on military duty overseas. [12]
IRL United Nations Peacekeepers Medal.svg United Nations Peacekeepers Medal
(Irish : Bonn Chosantóirí Síochána na Náisiún Aontaithe)
1989Created in 1989. Awarded to those members of the Defence Forces who have served overseas on a United Nation Mission or United Nations Mandated Mission. [12]
IRE Defence Forces International Operational Service Medal ribbon.png International Operational Service Medal
(Irish : Bonn nua Óglaigh na hÉireann um Sheirbhís Oibríochta Idirnáisiúnta)
Oct 20162014–presentAwarded to members of the Permanent Defence Forces who took part in the response to the West African Ebola virus epidemic and EU humanitarian response to the European migrant crisis (Operation PONTUS). [13]
1916 Centenary Commemorative Medal.png 1916 Centenary Commemorative Medal
(Irish : Bonn Comórtha Céad Bliain)
Dec 20162016Awarded to all personnel of the Permanent Defence Forces (PDF) and Reserve Defence Forces (RDF) who served in 2016 in recognition of the role they played to commemorate 100 years since the 1916 Easter Rising. [14]
IRL Siege of Jadotville Medal.svg Siege of Jadotville Medal
(Irish : An Bonn Jadotville)
Dec 20171961Awarded to all personnel of "A" Company with Irish Army ONUC who served at the Siege of Jadotville in recognition of their bravery and courage. [15]

Notes:

    United Nations medals

    EmblemDescriptionQualifying PeriodEligibility PeriodRemarks
    UN UNTSO Medal ribbon.svg United Nations Medal for UNTSO 180 days [21]
    UN UNMOGIP Medal ribbon.svg United Nations Medal for UNMOGIP 180 days [22]
    UN UNTSO Medal ribbon.svg United Nations Medal for UNOGIL 180 daysSame pattern as the medal for UNTSO . [23]
    UN ONUC Medal ribbon.svg United Nations Medal for ONUC 90 daysOriginal version was of the same pattern as the medal for UNTSO, with the addition of a clasp reading "CONGO". A distinctive design was introduced in 1963. [24]
    UNSF UNTEA Medal bar.svg United Nations Medal for UNTEA 180 days [25]
    UNFICYP Medal bar.svg United Nations Medal for UNFICYP 90 days [26]
    UN UNMOGIP Medal ribbon.svg United Nations Medal for UNIPOM 180 daysSame pattern as the medal for UNMOGIP. [27]
    UNEFME Ribbon Bar.gif United Nations Medal for UNEF II 90 days [28]
    ONZ Medal w Sluzbie Pokoju UNDOF BAR.svg United Nations Medal for UNDOF 90 days [29]
    UN UNIFIL Medal ribbon.svg United Nations Medal for UNIFIL 90 days [30]
    UN Head Quarter Medal ribbon.svg United Nations Medal for UNHQ 90 daysFor service on secondment to UN Headquarters in New York. [31]
    UN UNIIMOG Medal ribbon.svg United Nations Medal for UNIIMOG 90 days [32]
    UN UNTAG Medal ribbon.svg United Nations Medal for UNTAG 90 days [33]
    UN ONUCA Medal ribbon.svg United Nations Medal for ONUCA 90 days [34]
    UN UNAVEM Medal ribbon.svg United Nations Medal for UNAVEM 90 days [35]
    UNSSM.svg United Nations Special Service Medal 90 daysAwarded to Irish personnel for service in:
    UNSCOM [36]
    UNSMA [37]
    UN Medal MINURSO ribbon bar.svg United Nations Medal for MINURSO 90 days [38]
    ONZ Medal w Sluzbie Pokoju UNIKOM BAR.svg United Nations Medal for UNIKOM 90 days [39]
    UN UNAMIC Medal ribbon.svg United Nations Medal for UNAMIC 90 days [40]
    ONUSAL Medal bar.gif United Nations Medal for ONUSAL 90 days [41]
    UN UNTAC Medal ribbon.svg United Nations Medal for UNTAC 90 days [42]
    UN UNPROFOR Medal ribbon.svg United Nations Medal for UNPROFOR 90 days [43]
    UNOSOM Medal bar.gif United Nations Medal for UNOSOM 90 days [44]
    UNMIH.svg United Nations Medal for UNMIH 90 days [45]
    UNAMIR Medal bar.svg United Nations Medal for UNAMIR 90 daysAwarded to members of the Irish-Rwandan support group (Irish soldiers were not deployed as part of UNAMIR). [46]
    UN UNPREDEP Medal ribbon.svg United Nations Medal for UNPREDEP 90 days [47]
    UN UNMOP Medal ribbon.svg United Nations Medal for UNMOP 90 days [48]
    UN UNTAES Medal ribbon.svg United Nations Medal for UNTAES 90 days [49]
    UN UNMIK Medal ribbon.svg United Nations Medal for UNMIK 90 days [50]
    UNAMET Medal bar.gif United Nations Medal for UNAMET/UNTAET/UNMISET 90 days [51]
    UN MONUC Medal ribbon.svg United Nations Medal for MONUC 90 days [52]
    UN UNMEE Medal ribbon.svg United Nations Medal for UNMEE 90 days [53]
    UNMIL Ribbon bar.svg United Nations Medal for UNMIL 90 days [54]
    UNOCI Ribbon bar.svg United Nations Medal for MINUCI/ONUCI 90 days [55]
    UN Medal MINURCAT ribbon bar.svg United Nations Medal for MINURCAT II 90 days [55]
    UN MONUC Medal ribbon.svg United Nations Medal for MONUSCO 90 days

    References

    Footnotes

    1. "Oireachtas Committee, p. 10
    2. "Oireachtas Committee, p. 29
    3. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 11
    4. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 12
    5. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 13
    6. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 15
    7. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 16
    8. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 17
    9. 1 2 Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 18
    10. 1 2 Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 19-20
    11. 1 2 Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 21-22
    12. 1 2 3 4 5 Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 23
    13. 1 2 "Minister Kehoe awards new Defence Forces International Operational Service Medal to members of the Permanent Defence Force". Merrion Street. Irish Government News Service. 15 October 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
    14. 1 2 "The 1916 Centenary Commemorative Medal". Ireland 2016 Project Office. Retrieved 24 December 2016.
    15. Ní Aodha, Gráinne (2 December 2017). "After 55 years, Irish soldiers awarded medals for Siege of Jadotville". The Journal. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
    16. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 14
    17. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, pp. 19–20
    18. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 21
    19. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 25
    20. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 26
    21. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 30
    22. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 31
    23. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 32
    24. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 33
    25. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 34
    26. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 35
    27. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 36
    28. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 37
    29. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 38
    30. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 39
    31. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 40
    32. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 41
    33. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 42
    34. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 43
    35. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 44
    36. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 45
    37. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 53
    38. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 46
    39. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 47
    40. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 48
    41. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 49
    42. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 50
    43. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 51
    44. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 52
    45. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 54
    46. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 55
    47. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 56
    48. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 57
    49. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 58
    50. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 59
    51. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 60
    52. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 61
    53. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 62
    54. Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 63
    55. 1 2 Medals of the Irish Defence Forces, p. 64