MSM Awards

NEAR EAST

This bar was authorised in 2002 for those members of the crew of HMNZS Royalist who were temporarily attached to the Royal Navy's Mediterranean Fleet and took part in the Suez Crisis of October 1956 under "OPERATION MUSKETEER'

New Zealand General Service Medal (Near East) Regulations 2002

Elizabeth R

Pursuant to the Royal Warrant (SR 1992/101) dated 7 May 1992 (as altered by the Royal Warrant (SR 1997/153) dated 4 August 1997) instituting and creating the New Zealand General Service Medal, Her Majesty the Queen has been pleased to make the following regulations.

Regulations

1Title

These regulations are the New Zealand General Service Medal (Near East) Regulations 2002.

2Commencement

These regulations come into force on the 28th day after the date of their notification in the Gazette.

3Near East

The award of the New Zealand General Service Medal in silver with the Clasp

"NEAR EAST" in silver is approved.

The Medal and the Clasp are awarded subject to the Royal Warrant and to

regulation 4.

4Qualification for award

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---

served for 1 day or more in ships engaged in operations off the Egyptian coast

between 31 October and 22 December 1956; and

did not qualify for the award of the Naval General Service Medal (1915-62) with the

Clasp "NEAR EAST".

5Delegation

Under clause 11(2) of the Royal Warrant, the Chief of Defence Force or a Chief of Staff acting for the Chief of Defence Force is authorised to award the New Zealand General Service Medal with the Clasp "NEAR EAST" to any member of the Royal New Zealand Navy who qualifies for the award of that Medal with the Clasp "NEAR EAST".

MALAYA 1960-64

Elizabeth R

Regulations

1Title

These regulations are the New Zealand General Service Medal (Malaya 1960-64) Regulations 2002.

2Commencement

These regulations come into force on the 28th day after the date of their notification in the Gazette.

3Malaya 1960-64

The award of the New Zealand General Service Medal in silver with the Clasp

"MALAYA 1960-64" in silver is approved.

The Medal and the Clasp are awarded subject to the Royal Warrant and to

regulations 5 and 6.

4Operational area

In these regulations, operational area means those areas of Perlis, Kedah, Perak, and Kelantan, as provinces in the Federation of Malaya and later as States of Malaysia, where members of the New Zealand Army (within the meaning of the New Zealand Army Act 1950), the New Zealand Naval Forces (within the meaning of the Navy Act 1954), or the Royal New Zealand Air Force (within the meaning of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Act 1950) were deployed on active service.

5Eligibility

A person is eligible for the award of the Medal and the Clasp, subject to regulation 6, if, between 1 August 1960 and 16 August 1964, he or she was

a member of the New Zealand naval forces (within the meaning of the Navy Act

1954); or

a member of the New Zealand Army (within the meaning of the New Zealand Army

Act 1950; or

a member of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (within the meaning of the Royal

New Zealand Air Force Act 1950).

6Qualification

An eligible person qualifies for the award of the Medal and Clasp if he or she

served for 1 day in the operational area while on the posted strength of a unit

conducting operations in the operational area; or

carried out 1 sortie as a member of an aircrew or as a supernumerary crew member

in support of operations in the operational area; or

served for 30 or more days, continuous or aggregated, in the operational area for

official visits, inspections, or other occurrences of a temporary nature on duty.

7Delegation

Under clause 11(2) of the Royal Warrant, the Chief of Defence Force or a Chief of Staff acting for the Chief of Defence Force is authorised to award the New Zealand General Service Medal with the Clasp "MALAYA 1960-64" to any person who is qualified for the award of that Medal with the Clasp "MALAYA 1960-64".

8Revocation

The New Zealand General Service Medal (Malaya 1960-64) Regulations 2001 (SR 2001/59) are revoked.

VIETNAM

Elizabeth R

Regulations

1Title

These regulations are the New Zealand General Service Medal (Vietnam) Regulations 2002.

2Commencement

These regulations come into force on the 28th day after the date of their notification in the Gazette.

3Vietnam

The award of the New Zealand General Service Medal in silver with the Clasp

"VIETNAM" in silver is approved.

The Medal and the Clasp are awarded subject to the Royal Warrant and to

regulations 5, 6, and 7.

4Operational area

In these regulations, operational area means the political boundaries and territorial waters of Vietnam.

5Eligibility

A person is eligible for the award of the Medal and the Clasp, subject to regulations 6 and 7, if, between 1 December 1962 and 1 May 1975, he or she was---

a member of the Royal New Zealand Navy or New Zealand Army or Royal New

Zealand Air Force; or

a civilian person who was a member of a New Zealand contribution or New Zealand

supported or sanctioned contribution in the operational area.

6Qualification

An eligible person qualifies for the award of the Medal and the Clasp if he or she---

served for 1 day or more as member of a unit or sub-unit engaged in operations in

the operational area; or

carried out 1 sortie as a member of a military or naval air crew or as a

supernumerary crew member, in support of operations in the operational area; or

operated with the New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Royal New

Zealand Navy, or allied armed forces or worked on New Zealand Government official tasks

for 30 days, continuous or aggregated, in the operational area; or

rendered humanitarian service for a philanthropic organisation supported or

sanctioned by the New Zealand Government for 30 days or more, continuous or

aggregated, in the operational area; or

served for 30 days or more, continuous or aggregated, as an accredited New

Zealand war correspondent in the operational area; or

had his or her period of service in the operational area terminated before the

completion of the qualifying time required by paragraphs (c) to (e) due to death or

evacuation owing to wounds or other disability caused by that service; or

did not complete the qualifying time required by paragraphs (c) to (e), but was given

a royal honour for gallantry or bravery in the operational area; or

had his or her period of service in the operational area terminated before completing

the qualifying time required by paragraphs (c) to (e) due to the withdrawal of the New

Zealand armed forces referred to in regulation 5(a) from the operational area at the request

of the New Zealand Government and the award has been approved by the Chief of Defence

Force; or

had his or her period of service in the operational area terminated before completing

the qualifying time required by paragraphs (c) to (e) for service reasons (not personal or

compassionate) and the award has been approved by the Chief of Defence Force; or

any other service not inconsistent with these regulations that the Minister of

Defence, on the advice of the Chief of Defence Force, may determine.

7Exclusion

A person shall not receive the award if his or her qualifying service was completed wholly between 1 December 1962 and 27 January 1973 and was recognised by the award of the Vietnam Medal.

8Delegation

Under clause 11(2) of the Royal Warrant, the Chief of Defence Force or a Chief of Staff acting for the Chief of Defence Force is authorised to award the New Zealand General Service Medal with the Clasp "VIETNAM" to those persons who qualify for the award of that Medal with the Clasp "VIETNAM".

SPECIAL NOTICE - Vietnam veterans to get further recognition

1 October 2007

More Vietnam War veterans are going to be entitled to further recognition for their service.

Acting Prime Minister Jim Anderton told the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association's annual meeting in Wellington today that the Government has agreed to extend the eligibility for the New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 (Warlike), with clasp "Vietnam" to those veterans who are currently eligible for the Vietnam Medal.

The Government's decision is a key part of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government and representatives of Vietnam veterans, the RNZRSA and the Ex-Vietnam Services Association, signed in December last year.

The New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 (Warlike) with clasp "Vietnam" will be awarded to New Zealand military personnel, and accredited members of approved New Zealand philanthropic organisations, who served in Vietnam between 1 December 1962 and 27 January 1973, and who have already been awarded the Vietnam Medal.

Jim Anderton told the RNZRSA that new regulations for the New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 are being prepared and they will give effect to the decision shortly.

"The Memorandum of Understanding the Government signed with the RSA recognised that Vietnam veterans were exposed to a toxic environment. It also reflected public acknowledgement of the service performed by all New Zealand Vietnam veterans.

"So this decision is an important step in addressing Vietnam veterans' grievances as we move towards Tribute 08, to be held on Queens Birthday weekend next year. Tribute 08 will acknowledge the service of the veterans and the sacrifices of their families. "