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The Military Medal Obverse The Military Medal Reverse

The Military Medal (MM)

Overview

The Military Medal (MM) was instituted in 1916 and was awarded to non-commissioned officers and other ranks of the Army for acts of bravery for which the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) was not considered appropriate. Over 2500 MMs have been awarded to New Zealanders. The most recent MMs were awarded for service in Vietnam. In 1993, the MM was replaced in the United Kingdom by the Military Cross for all ranks. In New Zealand, the MM was replaced by the New Zealand Gallantry Decoration in 1999.

Description

The Military Medal is silver in colour and circular in shape, bearing on the obverse the effigy of the Sovereign. The reverse features the inscription "FOR BRAVERY IN THE FIELD", encircled by a laurel wreath and surmounted by the Royal Cypher and Crown. 

The ribbon has dark blue edges and five equal central stripes of white, red, white, red, and white.

Bars were awarded for subsequent acts of bravery.

Queries & requests

  • Wearing this medal

    The Military Medal is worn with medals for gallantry and bravery in the New Zealand Order of Wear.  It is always worn after the Distinguished Service Medal and before the Distinguished Flying Medal.

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

  • Checking eligibility and applying for this medal

    The Military Medal is no longer awarded in New Zealand since the introduction of New Zealand's own system of Gallantry and Bravery awards in 1999.

  • 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