New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Solomon Islands)

Last updated

New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Solomon Islands)
NZGSMSolObv.jpg NZGSMSolRev.jpg
NZ GSM 2002 Solomon Islands.svg
Obverse (top left) and reverse (top right) of the medal. Ribbon: 32mm, green with central yellow stripe flanked by two dark blue stripes.
Type Campaign medal
Awarded forService in the Solomon Islands between 2000 and 2013
DescriptionSilver disk, 38mm diameter.
Presented by New Zealand
EligibilityNew Zealand Defence Force and New Zealand Police personnel, as well as civilians
Clasps None
Established2003

The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Solomon Islands) (NZGSM 2002 (Sol)) was a New Zealand campaign medal for service in the Solomon Islands. The medal was awarded for service during Operation Purple Haze 1 and 2, Operation Zephyr, and the International Peace Monitoring Team from 2000 to 2002 and with the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) from 2003 to 2013. [1]

Contents

Background

This medal was instituted in 2002 to recognise New Zealand personnel (both military and non military) who served in the Solomon Islands and its waters between June 2000 and June 2002. [2] Eligibility for the medal was later extended to those New Zealand personnel who have served with the RAMSI, and to New Zealand police personnel who provided support and assistance to the Solomon Islands Government in re-establishing order for 30 days or longer through 2013. [3]

RAMSI was an Australian led intervention force providing assistance in the restoration of law and order to the Solomon Islands. At the peak of New Zealand’s contribution to RAMSI, between September and November 2003, over 220 New Zealand Defence Force personnel and 35 New Zealand police officers were serving in the Solomon Islands. In all, over 1100 New Zealand Defence Force personnel have served as part of RAMSI, as have more than 430 New Zealand police officers. [4]

Appearance

The New Zealand General Service Medal (Solomon Islands) is circular in shape and is made of silver-plated metal. The obverse of the medal bears the Effigy of the reigning Sovereign. The reverse bears the inscription THE NEW ZEALAND GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL surrounded by a wreath of fern fronds, pohutukawa, and kowhai blossoms, surmounted by a Royal Crown. [5]

The ribbon of the medal is 32 mm (1.3 in) wide and green with a central stripe yellow bordered by dark blue on each side. [3] The colors are the main colors of the Flag of the Solomon Islands. The proportions of the ribbon's stripes is the same as the New Zealand General Service Medal 1992. [4]

Related Research Articles

Royal New Zealand Navy Maritime arm of the New Zealand Defence Force

The Royal New Zealand Navy is the maritime arm of the New Zealand Defence Force. The fleet currently consists of nine ships.

Vietnam Campaign Medal Award

The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, also known as the Vietnam Campaign Medal, is a South Vietnamese military campaign medal which was created in 1949, and awarded to French military personnel during the First Indochina War. During the Vietnam War, the South Vietnamese government awarded the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device to members of the South Vietnamese military for wartime service and on March 24, 1966, to members of the U.S. military for support of operations in Vietnam. In May 1966, other allied foreign military personnel became eligible for the award.

Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands Response to request for help from the Solomon Islands

The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI), also known as Operation Helpem Fren, Operation Anode and Operation Rata, was created in 2003 in response to a request for international aid by the Governor-General of Solomon Islands. Helpem Fren means "help a friend" in Solomon Islands Pidgin. The mission officially ended on 30 June 2017.

New Zealand Army Land component of the New Zealand Defence Force

The New Zealand Army is the land component of the New Zealand Defence Force and comprises around 4,659 Regular Force personnel and 2,122 Reserve Force personnel. Formerly the New Zealand Military Forces, the current name was adopted by the New Zealand Army Act 1950. The New Zealand Army traces its history from settler militia raised in 1845.

Queens Service Medal New Zealand award for public service

The Queen's Service Medal is a medal awarded by the government of New Zealand to recognise and reward volunteer service to the community and also public service in elected or appointed public office. It was established in 1975 and is related to the Queen's Service Order. The QSM replaced the Imperial Service Medal as an award of New Zealand.

Military history of New Zealand

The military history of New Zealand is an aspect of the history of New Zealand that spans several hundred years. When first settled by Māori almost a millennium ago, there was much land and resources, but war began to break out as the country's carrying capacity was approached. Initially being fought with close range weapons of wood and stone, this continued on and off until Europeans arrived, bringing with them new weapons such as muskets. Colonisation by Britain led to the New Zealand Wars in the 19th century in which settler and imperial troops and their Māori allies fought against other Māori and a handful of Pākehā. In the first half of the 20th century, New Zealanders of all races fought alongside Britain in the Boer War and both World Wars. In the second half of the century and into this century the New Zealand Defence Force has provided token assistance to the United States in several conflicts. New Zealand has also contributed troops extensively to multilateral peacekeeping operations.

Rhodesia Medal Award

The Rhodesia Medal was initiated by the British Government in consultation with Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Kenya, whose forces took part in Operation AGILA. The role of the multi-national force was to keep peace between 22,000 guerrilla fighters and the Rhodesian forces during the ceasefire and run-up to the 1980 elections.

Cadet Forces Medal Award

The Cadet Forces Medal is awarded to recognise long and efficient service by Commissioned Officers and non commissioned adult instructors of the UK Cadet Forces: The Army Cadet Force, the RAFAC Air Training Corps, the Sea Cadets and Combined Cadet Force, and Commissioned Officers of the New Zealand Cadet Forces. Authorised by a Royal warrant it is awarded for 12 years service or when commissioned. Additional clasps are issued for every 8 years additional service in New Zealand & for 6 additional years in the UK.

Royal Solomon Islands Police Force National police force

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) is the national police force of Solomon Islands and in January 2015 had an establishment of approximately 1,153 officers and 43 police stations across the country.

New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Korea) Award

The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Korea) is a New Zealand campaign medal for service in Korea. The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 was established by royal warrant to recognize service since 2000. The NZGSM 2002 (Korea) was authorized by regulation on 5 September 2008. To qualify for this medal personnel must serve thirty days in the Republic of Korea with the United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission (UNCMAC) or the United Nations Command Honour Guard Company. Only service since 1 January 2001 qualifies. This medal replaces the award of the New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 (Non-Warlike) with the Korea 1958-2000 clasp.

New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Timor-Leste) Award

The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Timor-Leste) is a New Zealand campaign medal for service in Timor-Leste during and after the 2006 East Timorese crisis between 28 April 2006 and 31 December 2012.

New Zealand Special Service Medal Award

The New Zealand Special Service Medal (NZSSM) was established by royal warrant by Elizabeth II, Queen of New Zealand on 23 July 2002. The medal serves to recognize military service that would not otherwise be recognized by a Campaign medal.

The New Zealand Defence Service Medal (NZDSM) is a military service medal awarded to former and current members of the New Zealand Defence Force, for qualifying service since 3 September 1945. It is expected that at least 160,000 former service personnel and more than 7,000 currently serving NZDF personnel are eligible to receive the medal.

New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Afghanistan) Award

The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Afghanistan) is a campaign medal of New Zealand that recognizes service in the War in Afghanistan. The Queen of New Zealand authorized the creation of a new General Service Medal for the recognition of service taking place after December 2001 with a royal warrant on 23 July 2002. Regulations to establish the NZGSM 2002 (Afghanistan) were published 16 January 2003.

New Zealand Suffrage Centennial Medal 1993 Award

The New Zealand Suffrage Centennial Medal 1993 was established by Royal Warrant on 1 July 1993. It was created to commemorate Women's suffrage in New Zealand and to recognize those New Zealand and Commonwealth citizens who had made a significant contribution to women's rights or women's issues in New Zealand. The medal was only awarded in 1993.

Meritorious Service Medal (New Zealand) Award

The New Zealand Meritorious Service Medal is a meritorious and long service award for members of the New Zealand Defence Force. Initially established on 28 April 1898 as the Meritorious Service Medal, only members of the New Zealand Army were eligible for award. In 1985, a Royal Warrant established the current criteria for the medal making all members of the Army, Navy, and Air Force eligible for the award. Members of the defence forces above the rank of sergeant, who have at least 21 years of service, and hold their service's Long Service and Good Conduct Medal are eligible for the medal. The New Zealand Meritorious Service Medal is to be replaced by the New Zealand Defence Meritorious Service Medal, though holders of the superseded medal are still entitled to continue wearing it.

The Long Service and Good Conduct Medal is a military award recognizing 15 years of exemplary and unblemished service by non-commissioned and other ranks members of the New Zealand Defence Force. Established in 1985, these medals replaced the British Long Service and Good Conduct Medals with specific versions for New Zealand. There are three version of the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, one each for the New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, and the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

The New Zealand Defence Meritorious Service Medal is a military award of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF). Established by Royal Warrant 15 October 2013, the medal may be awarded to recognize meritorious exceptional performance, commitment, or innovation. Military and civilian personnel of the NZDF are eligible for this award regardless of rank or time in service. It will supersede the New Zealand Meritorious Service Medal.

The New Zealand Police Meritorious Service Medal is a police award of the New Zealand Police. Established by Royal Warrant 15 October 2013, the medal may be awarded to recognize meritorious exceptional performance, commitment, or innovation.

References

  1. "Medals by Campaign 3 September 1945 to 2013". medals.nzdf.mil.nz. New Zealand Defence Force. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
  2. "2002 New Zealand General Service Medal (Solomon Islands) Regulations 2002 003". legislation.knowledge-basket.co.nz/. The Knowledge Basket. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
  3. 1 2 "New Zealand General Service Medal (Solomon Islands) Regulations 2007". medals.nzdf.mil.nz/. New Zealand Defence Force. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  4. 1 2 "New Zealand Campaign Medals - The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Solomon Islands)". medals.nzdf.mil.nz/. New Zealand Defence Force. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  5. "The New Zealand General Service Medal Royal Warrant". medals.nzdf.mil.nz/. New Zealand Defence Force. Retrieved 4 October 2014.