New Zealand Operational Service Medal

An impressive and moving ceremony held in the Grand Hall of Parliament House on the evening of Tuesday, 11 June 2002, marked the inauguration of the New Zealand Operational Service Medal (NZOSM).

THE FIRST OF THE MANY: Four of the recipients, carrying representative Service hats crowned with a green sprig as an acknowledgement to their comrades killed on operations, lead their fellow veterans into Parliament's Grand Hall to receive the first awards of the New Zealand Operational Service Medal from the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence.

Prime Minister Helen Clark and Minister of Defence and Veterans' Affairs Mark Burton presented the first sixteen recipients, who were representative of service from the occupation of Japan through the conflicts in Korea, Malaya, Vietnam and the Gulf War to more recent peacekeeping operations, with the NZOSM, this country's newest war medal. The first four medals were presented to the next-of-kin of soldiers killed in action in Korea and Vietnam.

The New Zealand Operational Service Medal follows the same principles as the New Zealand War Service Medal 1939-45, which was awarded once only to all New Zealanders who served in the Second World War regardless of where they served.

New Zealand Operational Service Medal

The obverse of the silver-plated medal features the New Zealand Coat of Arms indicating that it specifically recognises service on behalf New Zealand. The reverse depicts a kiwi and the inscription "FOR OPERATIONAL SERVICE". The black and white ribbon, alludes to what is generally regarded as New Zealand's national colours which were first adopted by New Zealand troops in the South African War of 1899-1902 and were used for the New Zealand War Service Medal 1939-45.

Defence Minister Mark Burton says the NZOSM will meet a long-standing need for distinctive New Zealand recognition of operational service.

"This medal is a statement of service to New Zealand, while campaign medals are recognition where that service was given," he says.

It is estimated that some 50,000 ex and still serving members of the Defence Force are eligible for the medal which covers all operational service since 3 September 1945.

By the end of July, the Medals Office at Trentham Camp had dispatched 6000 NZOSMs to qualified applicants.

Veterans who consider they could qualify for the New Zealand Operational Service Medal should apply to Staff Officer Medals, Headquarters, New Zealand Defence Force, Private Bag 905, Upper Hutt, enclosing as much service detail as possible.

The initial sixteen recipients were:

Lance Bombardier Joseph Shortland

Joseph Shortland joined the New Zealand Army in 1951 and served with 16th Field Regiment during the Korean War. Lance Bombardier Shortland was killed in action on 17 February 1952. He was awarded the Korea Medal and the United Nations Medal.

The New Zealand Operational Service Medal is received on his behalf by his son, Mr John Shortland, of Hamilton.

Gunner Raymond Mortimer

Raymond Mortimer joined the New Zealand Army in 1952 and served with 16th Field Regiment during the Korean War. Gunner Mortimer died of wounds on 14 September 1952. He was awarded the Korea Medal and the United Nations Medal.

The New Zealand Operational Service Medal is received on his behalf by his sister, Mrs Theresa Holder, of Invercargill.

	SERVICE REMEMBERED: Mrs Ellen Culley receives the NZOSM from the Prime Minister on behalf of her late husband Sergeant Graham Campbell who was killed in action in Vietnam on 14 January 1970.

Sergeant Graham Campbell

Graham Campbell enlisted in the New Zealand Army in 1964. He served with 1 Ranger Squadron. New Zealand Special Air Service in Borneo in 1965 and 1966 and during the Vietnam War. Sergeant Campbell was killed in action in South Vietnam on 14 January 1970. He was awarded the General Service Medal with clasp "Borneo", the Vietnam Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

The New Zealand OperationalService Medal is received on his behalf by his widow, Mrs Ellen Culley, of Auckland.

Sergeant Alastair Don

Alastair Don joined the New Zealand Army in 1955. He served in Malaya between 1961 and 1964 with the 1st Battalion of the New Zealand Regiment and with 161 Battery during the Vietnam War. Sergeant Don was killed in action in South Vietnam on 14 September 1965. He was awarded the Vietnam Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and the New Zealand General Service Medal with clasp "Malaya 1 960-64".

The New Zealand Operational Service Medal is received on his behalf by his widow, Mrs Isobel Royal, of Paraparaumu.

Mr Bill Hopper, Upper Hutt

Mr Hopper served in the New Zealand Army as a photographer 1947 to 1948. Later he joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force, serving as a public relations officer from 1966 to 1982. Mr Hopper is awarded the New Zealand Operational Service Medal for his service in Japan from 1947 to 1948.

Mr Colin Fraser, Upper Hutt

Mr Fraser joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1940 and served in bombing and transport squadrons in Europe, the Middle East and the Pacific. Mr Fraser is awarded the New Zealand Operational Service Medal for his service in Japan from 1946 to 1948 and during the Berlin Airlift from 1948 to 1949.

Mr Trevor Dean, Manurewa

Trevor Dean joined the New Zealand Army in 1957 and served in Malaya during the emergency there with the 1st Battalion of the New Zealand Regiment from 1957 to 1959. Mr Dean was awarded the General Service Medal with the clasp "Malaya" for this service and is now awarded the New Zealand Operational Service Medal.

Mr Alan Birtwistle, Rotorua

Alan Birtwistle joined the Royal New Zealand Navy in 1955, and served in a range of ships and shore establishments during his eight years in the service. Mr Birtwistle is awarded the New Zealand Operational Service Medal for his service on HMNZS Royalist off Malaya in 1959.

Mr Brian Raymond Sadd, Blenheim

Brian Sadd joined the Royal New Zealand Navy in 1949. Mr Sadd saw operational service during the Korean War, off Korea again and during the Malayan Emergency in 1954-55 and in HMNZS Royalist at Suez in 1956. Mr Sadd is awarded the New Zealand Operational Service Medal for this service.

Mr Malcolm Harvey-Williams, Whenuapai

Malcolm Harvey-Williams joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1956 and served for twenty-two years as an engine fitter before retiring in 1979. Mr Harvey-Williams is awarded the New Zealand Operational Service Medal for his service in Singapore in 1959.

Mr Reginald Corbett, Havelock North

Reginald Corbett joined the Royal New Zealand Navy in 1953 and served a as a mechanical engineer and then a Master At Arms until 1974. Mr Corbett served aboard HMNZS Royalist at Suez in 1956 and on HMNZS Otago from 1964 to 1965 during Confrontation. Mr Corbett is awarded the New Zealand Operational Service Medal for this service.

Retired Superintendent Paul Mears, Tawa

Paul Mears joined the New Zealand Police in the 1958 Walter Nash Cadet Wing. He served in the Wellington area until his retirement in 1998, in the Police District and at the Office of the Commissioner. Mr Mears is awarded the New Zealand Operational Service Medal for his service as a sergeant in the 3rd and 4th New Zealand Police contingents of the United Nations Force in Cyprus between July 1965 and July 1966.

Warrant Officer Class One Errol Clarke, Headquarters Joint Forces New Zealand, Trentham

Errol Clarke joined the New Zealand Army in 1972 and is currently serving at Headquarters Joint Forces New Zealand as the Regimental Command Sergeant Major to the Land Component Commander. Warrant Officer Class One Clarke is awarded the New Zealand Operational Service Medal for his service in Rhodesia from 1979 to 1980.

Flight Sergeant Ian Buckle, Wellington

Ian Buckle joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1982 and is currently posted to Air Staff in Wellington. Flight Sergeant Buckle is awarded the New Zealand Operational Service Medal for his operational service in Kuwait from 1990 to 1991, preceding and during the Gulf War.

Squadron Leader Karen McEvoy, RNZAF Base Auckland

Karen McEvoy joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1987 and is currently Executive Officer at the Air Base Wing, Auckland. Squadron Leader McEvoy is awarded the New Zealand Operational Service Medal for her service in Somalia in 1993 as part of Operation Samaritan

Leading Stores Accountant Vanessa Lawrence, HMNZS Manawanui

Vanessa Lawrence joined the Royal New Zealand Navy in 1995 and is currently serving on HMNZS Manawanui. Leading Stores Accountant Lawrence is awarded the New Zealand Operational Service Medal for her service on HMNZS Canterbury in the Arabian Gulf in 1996.