The United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation Medal
Overview
The UN Truce Supervision Organisation Medal is a prestigious international award established in 1951 to honor the service of military observers, civilian police, and civilian personnel who have served in the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO). UNTSO was the first peacekeeping operation established by the United Nations, tasked with mediating conflict between Israel and its neighbours during and after the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.
Since then, UNTSO has continued its peacekeeping and monitoring duties in the region, including observing the cease-fire in the Suez Canal area and the Golan Heights following the June 1967 Arab-Israeli war.
The first New Zealand military personnel to serve with UNTSO were two Army territorial Force officers who arrived in the Middle East in July 1954. There has been a continuous presence of New Zealand military personnel with UNTSO since this time. In 1993 New Zealand sent Colonel John Fisher to take up the post of UNTSO Deputy Chief of Staff in Jerusalem, and he later became Chief of Staff of UNTSO. Major General Clive Lilley served as Head of Mission for UNTSO from November 2004 until November 2006. From August 2015 to November 2017, Major General Dave Gawn served as Head of Mission / Chief of Staff for UNTSO.
Description
The UNTSO 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 is blue with two narrow stripes of white, representing the role of the United Nations in establishing and maintaining peace.
Only a few clasps have ever been issued with United Nations medals. Very early in the history of the United Nations, it was decided to recognise service on different missions by the award of the United Nations Medal with distinctive ribbons. Additional periods of service on the same mission are recognised by silver numerals worn on the medal ribbon.
Silver numerals worn on the UNTSO medal ribbon are awarded to denote additional periods of service with the same mission. The silver numerals are attached to the appropriate medal ribbon for the full-size medal, miniature medal and when ribbons alone are worn. (Note: Ribbons alone are usually only worn by serving uniformed personnel).
The Sovereign has given approval for New Zealanders who meet the eligibility criteria to accept and wear the UNTSO Medal.
Eligibility
Awarded for 6 months consecutive service between 23 June 1948 to the present time with the Truce Commission in Palestine.
Queries & requests
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Wearing this medal
The United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) 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. Since eligible service with UNTSO continues to the present day, individuals may wear this medal in a different order, according to 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.