History
The United Nations Headquarters Medal recognises the military officers and police who serve at the Headquarters of the United Nations, in New York, in direct support of peacekeeping operations, work that would otherwise go unmarked because it is not service with any one mission in the field. It fills the gap for those who plan, direct and sustain the missions from the centre.
Australian military and police personnel have served at United Nations Headquarters in these roles. The medal is awarded for the qualifying period of service, and there is no bar. 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
A solid, plain United Nations blue.
The ribbon is a plain, solid United Nations blue, without stripes, the only ribbon of pure United Nations blue in the series.
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 at the Headquarters of the United Nations in support of peacekeeping.
- The qualifying period of service at United Nations Headquarters is required; Australian military and police personnel have served in these roles;
- There is no bar to the medal;
- 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 Headquarters Medal awarded for?
Service by military officers and police at the Headquarters of the United Nations in New York, in direct support of peacekeeping operations, rather than with a mission in the field.
Why is its ribbon plain blue?
Where mission ribbons carry the colours of the country they were earned in, Headquarters service belongs to no single country, so the ribbon is the plain, solid blue of the United Nations itself.
What was Australia's role?
Australian military and police personnel have served at United Nations Headquarters in support of peacekeeping.
What is the qualifying period?
The set qualifying period of service at United Nations Headquarters.
Is there a bar with this medal?
No; the medal has no bar.
Is it named to the recipient?
No; United Nations medals are issued unnamed.