NZ Defence Service Medal – Application Form
All Communicators,
At long last, the NZDF is now accepting applications for the New Zealand Defence Service Medal from ex-Service persons age 70 or over. Applications from those in other age groups and from the next-of-kin of deceased ex-Service persons will be called for progressively over the next year or so. I have included the LINK here for your convenience. Please read the form carefully. I have also included the LINK to the NZDF Medals Site for further information.
First of new Defence medals to be presented
About 30 recipients will receive their medals from Minister of Veterans’ Affairs Judith Collins and Defence Minister Wayne Mapp on Thursday, 14 April 2011.
The new medal is awarded for non-operational military service in the Defence Force by New Zealanders. Those who have served in the military for more than three years since World War Two, and those who did compulsory military training or national military service, qualify.
“This medal recognises our service personnel for their contribution to the peace, freedom and security that all New Zealanders enjoy today,” Ms Collins said.
“Our service veterans hold a special status in our society. This Government is committed to honouring those veterans who served their country operationally and in a wide range of vital support roles.”
Dr Mapp said the medal closes a gap in medallic recognition of military service.
“Many thousands of New Zealanders have met the demanding requirements of military service. They have served their country and community loyally and well, including responding to disasters such as the Christchurch earthquakes, but not on operations.
“Up to now there has been no recognition of this service, on which the Government places high value. This medal remedies that. It delivers on the National Party’s campaign commitment to recognise those people.
“It also honours those Reserve personnel whose service comes on top of full-time commitments in civilian life,” he said.
* The presentation ceremony took place at 4pm on Thursday 14 April in the Grand Hall at Parliament
Dr Mapp said the medal closes a gap in medallic recognition of military service. I suppose this means that they don’t intend recognising service in SE Asia with a separate medal…….
what do you expect from a “Defence Minister” who, like our “Prime” minister wears a silver fern on his lapel instead of his county’s flag. Softening us up for a new flag, maybe….