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The New Zealand Special Service Medal (Erebus) Obverse The New Zealand Special Service Medal (Erebus) Reverse

The New Zealand Special Service Medal (Erebus)

Overview

The New Zealand Special Service Medal (Erebus) was established in November 2006 to recognise the service of New Zealanders, Americans, and citizens from other countries involved in the arduous and challenging tasks of body recovery, crash investigation, and victim identification during Operation Overdue.

Operation Overdue was initiated by the New Zealand Police following the crash of Air New Zealand DC-10-30 ZK-NZP Flight TE901 on the northern slope of Mount Erebus, Ross Island, Antarctica, on 28 November 1979. The crash resulted in the tragic loss of all 257 passengers and crew members.

The recovery and investigation phase of Operation Overdue took place in Antarctica from 29 November to 12 December 1979. Subsequently, the identification phase occurred at the mortuary of the Auckland University School of Medicine from 6 December 1979 to 12 February 1980.

Description

The New Zealand Special Service Medal (Erebus)  is gold in colour and circular in shape. The obverse features a representation of the New Zealand Coat of Arms. On the reverse is a representation of a bouquet of New Zealand flora, composed of fern fronds and sprigs of blossom of pohutukawa, manuka, kowhai, and Mt Cook lilies with a scroll below inscribed with the words “FOR SPECIAL SERVICE”.

The ribbon is composed of 7 stripes: dark blue, astral, white, black, white, astral, and dark blue.

The NZSSM (Erebus) is 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 time of the recipient's participation in the Operation Overdue response.

There are no clasps or bars for this medal.

Eligibility

Individuals who participated in specified services at the following locations:

  • Mount Erebus crash site
  • Supply or support flights between the crash site and Williams Field, Antarctica
  • Williams Field or McMurdo Station for service specifically related to the processing or packing of victims' remains and personnel effects recovered from the crash site
  • Mortuary, Auckland University School of Medicine, Auckland

IMPORTANT NOTE:  This service does not qualify for the award of the New Zealand Operational Service Medal.

For full details:

The Royal Warrant for the New Zealand Special Service Medal(external link)

The Regulations for the New Zealand Special Service Medal (Erebus) (external link)

Recipients

The New Zealand Special Service Medal (Erebus) has been awarded to more than 300 individuals from New Zealand Police, New Zealand Defence Force, and the United States Navy, as well as search and rescue experts, aircraft crash investigators, medical professionals and others involved in Operation Overdue.

For further information:

28 November 2006 Announcement by the Prime Minister and the initial list of 133 eligible New Zealand Police personnel.  (PDF, 133 KB)

Queries & requests

  • Wearing this medal

    The New Zealand Special Service Medal (Erebus) is worn as a Special Service Medal in the New Zealand Order of Wear.  Special service medals are worn after war and campaign medals.  The New Zealand Special Service Medal (Erebus) is always worn after the New Zealand Special Service Medal (Nuclear Testing) and before the New Zealand Special Service Medal (Asian Tsunami).

    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