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New Zealand Service Medal Obverse New Zealand Service Medal Reverse

The New Zealand Service Medal 1946-1949

Overview

The New Zealand Service Medal 1946-1949 was instituted in 1995 to recognise New Zealand military personnel who served in the occupation forces in Japan between March 1946 and March 1949. The Royal Warrant was amended in 2002 to also recognise service between September 1945 and March 1946, including service by the crews of HMNZ Ships Gambia and Achilles in Japanese waters.

Description

This medal is silver in colour and circular in shape.  The obverse shows the New Zealand Coat of Arms, while the reverse carries the inscription 'FOR SERVICE TO NEW ZEALAND 1946-1949', with a representation of a fern frond below.

The stripes on the medal ribbon represent the national colours of New Zealand (black and white) and Japan (red and white).

The medal was issued unengraved until 30 June 2009. From 1 July 2009 this medal has been issued engraved on the bottom rim. For military personnel, the recipient's service number, rank, initials, surname, and corps / Service are engraved. These details are as at the date of the service which qualified him or her for the medal. Recipients of unengraved NZOSMs can contact New Zealand Defence Force Personnel Archives and Medals if they wish their NZOSM to be engraved.

There are no clasps or bars for this medal.

Eligibility

  • NZ Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel who served for 28 days with the occupation forces in the operational area between 3 September 1945 and 31 March 1949.
  • Members of the New Zealand Merchant Navy who served for an aggregate of at least 28 days in the operational area between 3 September 1945 and 31 March 1949, working with or alongside a New Zealand Government contribution to the occupation forces.
  • Members of the crew of an aircraft operated by a civil airline incorporated in New Zealand who served for an aggregate of at least 48 flying hours, in the operational area between 3 September 1945 and 31 March 1949.
  • New Zealand civilians who served for 28 days in the operational area 3 September 1945 and 31 March 1949, working with or alongside a New Zealand Government contribution to the occupation forces.
  • Service in the operational area between 3 September 1945 and 31 March 1949 that was brought to an end by death, evacuation or withdrawal at the direction of the New Zealand Government for official reasons.

For full details:

Royal Warrant for the New Zealand Service Medal 1946-1949(external link)

Amended Warrant for the New Zealand Service Medal 1946-1949(external link)

Recipients

Since 1995 this medal has been issued to over 4,700 veterans or their families. About 13,000 New Zealanders, including several hundred women, are eligible for this medal.

Queries & requests

  • Wearing this medal

    The New Zealand Service Medal 1946-1949 is worn as a campaign medal in the New Zealand Order of Wear.  It is always worn before the Korea Medal if both medals have been awarded.

    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