Australia decorates its heroes from Vietnam to the Gulf
- Australian Defence Force - Vietnam - Middle East - South East Asia - Irian Jaya - recognition - extended medal entitlements-
10 April, 2002 MIN 135/02
Eligible Australian Defence Force personnel who served in Vietnam, the Middle East, South East Asia and Irian Jaya will receive greater recognition for their service and sacrifice through extended medal entitlements, the Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, the Hon Danna Vale MP, announced today.
Minister Vale said the extension would see more service personnel receive
this important, tangible mark of respect and thanks from a grateful nation.
"The extension of entitlements for the Australian Service Medal and
Australian Active Service Medal will also help address some anomalies in the
granting of these medals to our servicemen and women," Minister Vale said.
"In particular, the Government is pleased that anomalies in respect of the
Australian Active Service Medal 1945-75 for Vietnam have been removed.
"The extension of the AASM 1945-75 to personnel serving in South Vietnam
from 31 July 1962 allows some land-based personnel who had previously not been
eligible, and the crew of HMAS Quiberon and HMAS Queenborough to
be awarded the medal for their service in early 1963."
Minister Vale said personnel in approved third country deployments with the
United States and United Kingdom forces in Iraq between 16 July 1991 and
1 October 2001 would be recognised by the awarding of the Australian Service
Medal with Clasp 'IRAQ';
"Personnel involved with survey operations in South East Asia
between 6 May 1975 and 22 August 1975 will be recognised by the awarding of the
Australian Service Medal with Clasp 'SE ASIA'," Minister Vale said.
"Personnel involved with the CENDERAWASIH series of survey operations in
Irian Jaya between 1976 and 1981 will be recognised by the awarding of the
Australian Service Medal with Clasp 'IRIAN JAYA'."