History
The United Nations Transition Assistance Group, UNTAG, was established to lead South West Africa, now Namibia, to independence, supervising the ceasefire, the withdrawal of forces, and the free elections held in November 1989 that opened the way to independence in 1990. It was one of the United Nations' landmark missions, drawing contributions from around the world.
Australia's contribution was substantial and among its most significant of the era: a large engineer force that built and repaired the roads, bridges and infrastructure on which the mission depended, together with staff and other personnel. UNTAG was, at the time, one of the largest peacekeeping deployments Australia had undertaken. The medal was awarded for ninety days' service. As a foreign award it takes its place in the Australian Order of Wearing among the United Nations medals.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The medal follows the standard United Nations design: a circular bronze medallion 35 millimetres in diameter, the obverse bearing the emblem of the United Nations, a world map seen from the north pole within a wreath of olive branches, surmounted by the letters UN. The reverse carries the words IN THE SERVICE OF PEACE in relief. United Nations medals are issued unnamed, and the mission is identified by the colours of the ribbon.
The ribbon
Five continental colours, sand bars, UN blue ends.
The centre of the ribbon has five equal stripes of black, yellow, red, green and royal blue, the colours of the five Olympic rings, for the five continental regions represented in the mission, flanked by bars of sand or buff for the Kalahari and Namib deserts, with bands of United Nations blue at each end.
Clasps
United Nations Number 1
A silver numeral worn on the ribbon of the medal. United Nations numerals record the number of qualifying periods of service completed with the mission.
United Nations Number 2
A silver numeral recording a second qualifying period of service with the mission.
United Nations Number 3
A silver numeral recording a third qualifying period of service with the mission.
United Nations Number 4
A silver numeral recording a fourth qualifying period of service with the mission.
Eligibility
The medal is awarded for service with the United Nations Transition Assistance Group in Namibia.
- Ninety days' service with the mission between 1989 and 1990 qualifies; Australia contributed a large engineer force and other personnel;
- A numeral on the ribbon marks a further tour of the same mission;
- As a foreign award it takes its place in the Australian Order of Wearing among the United Nations medals.
Order of wear
United Nations medals are awarded by the United Nations and accepted and worn by Australians who served the mission. In the Australian Order of Wearing they are worn after Australian honours and campaign awards, among the foreign awards, in the sequence set for United Nations service, which generally follows the dates of the missions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UN Namibia Medal awarded for?
Service with the United Nations Transition Assistance Group, UNTAG, which led South West Africa to independence as Namibia through the elections of 1989 and the transition to 1990.
What was Australia's role?
Australia contributed a large engineer force that built and repaired the roads, bridges and infrastructure the mission depended on, one of its largest peacekeeping deployments of the era.
What do the ribbon colours mean?
Five central stripes in the colours of the Olympic rings for the five continental regions represented in the mission, flanked by sand for the Kalahari and Namib deserts and United Nations blue at the ends.
Why was the mission significant?
It was a landmark United Nations operation that brought a territory to independence through supervised free elections.
What is the qualifying period?
Ninety days' service with the mission.
Is it named to the recipient?
No; United Nations medals are issued unnamed.