The NATO Medal for Non-Article 5 Operations in the Balkans
Overview
Between 1996 and 2004, New Zealand contributed military personnel to serve with the NATO Implementation Force (IFOR) and the NATO Stabilisation Force (SFOR) in the Former Yugoslavia.
The NATO Medal for Non-Article 5 Operations in the Balkans is awarded for service with NATO operations in the Balkans from 1 January 2003.
The NATO Medal for the Former Yugoslavia recognises service with forces under NATO command or in direct support of its operations in the Former Yugoslavia until 31 December 2002.
On 2 December 2004, NATO SFOR was replaced by the European Union Force (EUFOR). New Zealand has continued to deploy military personnel to serve in Bosnia with EUFOR. Service with the EURFOR OPERATION ALTHEA between 2 December 2004 and 30 June 2007 is recognised by the European Security and Defence Policy Service Medal.
Description
The NATO Medal for Non-Article 5 Operations in the Balkans is bronze and circular. The obverse features the NATO star set in a wreath of olive leaves, and the reverse bears the inscription "IN THE SERVICE OF PEACE AND FREEDOM" in English and French, separated by an olive sprig. The inscription is encircled by the words 'NORTH ATLANTIC TREAT ORGANIZATION ORGANISATION DU TRAITE DE L'ATLANTIQUE NORD".
The ribbon is blue with a narrow central stripe of silver within a stripe of white.
The clasp "NON ARTICLE 5" is worn on the medal ribbon.
The Sovereign has approved the wearing of the NATO Medal for Non-Article 5 Operations in the Balkans for qualifying New Zealand Defence Force Personnel.
Eligibility
Awarded for 30 days continuous or 60 days cumulative service on the land or in the air spaces of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslavia (including Kosovo), Albania, and the Former Republic of Macedonia from 1 January 2003.
Queries & requests
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Wearing this medal
The NATO Medal for Non-Article 5 Operations in the Balkans 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 the time served in theatre.
For more information on how to wear and care for honours, medals, and awards:
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Checking eligibility and applying for this medal
NZDF Personnel Archives and Medals (PAM) does not approve or issue NATO medals.
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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.