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New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Iraq 2003) Obverse New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Iraq 2003) Reverse

The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Iraq 2003)

Overview

The New Zealand General Service Medal (Iraq 2003) was instituted in 2004.  It recognises New Zealand personnel (both military and non military) who served in Iraq from 27 May 2003 to 3 October 2014.

The initial NZDF contribution consisted of two personnel who served with the United Nations Mine Action Service’s (UNMAS) Mine Action Coordination Team based in Basrah. From 2003 to 2004, military engineers and support personnel were deployed to Iraq under United Nations Resolution 1483, to work on humanitarian, rehabilitation and reconstruction projects. From January 2005 to October 2014, a small number of NZDF officers served with the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

Description

The medal is silver in colour and is circular in shape. On the obverse is the Effigy of the Sovereign surrounded by the legend 'ELIZABETH II QUEEN OF NEW ZEALAND'. On the reverse, the inscription 'THE NEW ZEALAND GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL' within a wreath of New Zealand flora (fern fronds, pohutukawa, and kowhai blossom) ensigned by a Royal Crown.  The great of New Zealand flora adds a distinctive New Zealand appearance to the medal.

The ribbon is comprised of stripes of black, light green, white, and red. These colours have been used as the basic colours of various Iraqi national flags since 1919. Red (blood), black (oppression), and white (shining future) have been used as the basis of Arabic liberation flags of a number of Arabic countries. Green alludes to the Islamic faith and hope. Black and white are also regarded as national colours of New Zealand.

There are no clasps or bars for this medal.

Eligibility

Members of the Armed Forces and NZ civilians who:

  • served on mine clearance operations from 27 May 2003; or
  • served with the British-led Multi-National Division in (Southeast) Iraq undertaking humanitarian, rehabilitation, and reconstruction projects from 17 September 2003 to 23 September 2004; or
  • served with the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

Service by New Zealand personnel in Iraq prior to 27 May 2003 with the United Nations missions United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM)  or United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) is recognised by the New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 (Non-Warlike) Clasp (Iraq) and the United Nations Special Service Medal.

For full details:

Royal Warrant for the New Zealand General Service Medal 2002(external link)

Regulations for the New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Iraq 2003)(external link)

Recipients

More than 200 NZDF personnel who served in Iraq from 27 May 2003 to 31 October 2014 have qualified for this medal.  Service by New Zealand personnel from 4 November 2014 to 30 June 2023 in Iraq to build the capacity of the Iraqi Security Forces is recognized by the New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Iraq 2015).  

Queries & requests

  • Wearing this medal

    The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Iraq 2003) is worn as a campaign medal in the New Zealand Order of Wear.  Campaign medals are worn in order of date of participation in the campaign, operation, or peacekeeping mission for which the medal was awarded.  This includes United Nations, NATO mission, and European Union mission medals.  As a result, different individuals may mount their medals in different orders depending on when they served in each theatre. 

    For more information on how to wear and care for honours, medals, and awards:

  • Applying for this medal

    NZDF Personnel Archives and Medals (PAM) issues war, operational and service medals to current and former NZDF members.

    If you or someone you know may be eligible, you can apply through our application page.

    Apply for unclaimed medals

  • Checking if this medal was issued

    Honours, medals, and awards bestowed on an individual for service in the New Zealand Armed Forces are recorded in their individual service record.  NZDF Personnel Archives and Medals holds a collection of about 1.5 million service records relating to 420,000 New Zealand service personnel who served in New Zealand’s Military Forces after the First World War.

    Service records are not currently digitised, but we can locate it and find the information you might be looking for or help you book a time for you to see the records in Trentham by completing the form on the Service Record page. 

    Request a service record