The United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan Medal
Overview
The United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) was formed in 1949 to propose terms for a truce between the two countries. The medal is awarded for six months service in the area. The Sovereign has given approval for New Zealanders, who meet the eligibility criteria, to accept and wear the United Nations Medal for service with UNMOGIP.
The same medal ribbon was awarded to those personnel, including New Zealanders, who served for six months with the United Nations India-Pakistan Observation Mission (UNIPOM) between 1965 and 1966. The United Nations Medal for service with UNIPOM is approved for acceptance and wear by eligible New Zealand personnel.
Description
The UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan medal is bronze in colour and circular in shape. The obverse displays the emblem of the United Nations: a map of the world, encircled by olive branches, symbolising peace. The reverse carries the inscription "IN THE SERVICE OF PEACE".
The ribbon of the UNMOGIP Medal has a wide central band in various shades of green representing the Himalayan Range and the Kashmir Valley. The white stripes flanking the green represent the snow-capped mountains. At each edge of the ribbon is a band of blue representing the United Nations.
Silver numerals worn on the medal ribbon are awarded to denote additional periods of service on the same mission.
Eligibility
Awarded for 6 months of service in the UNMOGIP Mission. Subsequent tours of the same regions are denoted with a numeral attached to the ribbon.
Queries & requests
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Wearing this medal
The United Nations Military Observation Group in India and Pakistan Medal 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 United Nations 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.