History
The New Zealand Operational Service Medal was instituted in 2002 to give specific New Zealand recognition for operational service, its eligibility beginning the day after the final date for the 1939 to 1945 New Zealand War Service Medal, so that between them the two medals cover operational service from the Second World War onward. It is awarded in addition to any New Zealand, Commonwealth or foreign campaign medal earned for the same service.
The medal is awarded once only, however many times a person has deployed, as a single acknowledgement of the fact of operational service. Those who have received an approved campaign medal for operational service since September 1945 qualify, as in certain cases do those whose service did not complete a campaign medal's qualifying period. As a New Zealand campaign medal it is worn in order of the date of the qualifying service.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The medal is circular. It is awarded once only and is never issued with a clasp, a single medal marking the whole of a person's operational service rather than any one deployment. The recipient's details are engraved on the rim.
The ribbon
Black and white, the New Zealand colours.
The ribbon is in black and white, the national colours of New Zealand.
Eligibility
The medal is awarded for operational service by New Zealanders since 3 September 1945.
- Those who have received an approved campaign medal for operational service since September 1945 qualify, as do certain personnel who did not complete a campaign medal's qualifying period;
- It is awarded once only, regardless of the number of deployments, and is never issued with a clasp;
- As a New Zealand campaign medal it is worn in order of the date of the qualifying service.
Order of wear
In the New Zealand Order of Wear, campaign and operational medals are worn in the order of the date of the qualifying service, so two recipients may mount the same medals in a different order depending on when they served. On an Australian rack these New Zealand awards are mounted according to the wearer's own national honours system.
Frequently asked questions
What is the New Zealand Operational Service Medal awarded for?
Operational service by New Zealanders since 3 September 1945; it gives specific New Zealand recognition for the fact of operational service, in addition to any campaign medal earned.
Is it awarded more than once?
No; it is awarded once only, however many times a person has deployed on operations.
Does it have clasps?
No; it is never issued with a clasp, being a single medal for the whole of a person's operational service rather than any one deployment.
How does it relate to the War Service Medal 1939 to 1945?
Its eligibility begins the day after that medal's final date, so between them they cover operational service from the Second World War onward.
What does the ribbon look like?
Black and white, the national colours of New Zealand.
How is it worn?
As a New Zealand campaign medal, in order of the date of the qualifying service.