Display No. 22C
Campaign Medals – United Nations Medals
Campaign or service medals are awarded to those who serve in specified campaigns or military operations. They recognise general military service in war (in contrast to Decorations which are issued for acts of heroism and bravery). A standard United Nations Medal has been awarded to personnel, including New Zealanders, involved in various UN missions across the world. A different ribbon distinguishes each mission. Silver numerals sewn onto the mission ribbon denote further periods of qualifying service on the same mission. The bronze medal features the United Nations wreathed globe emblem with the words ‘In the Service of Peace’ on the reverse.
Medal(s)
Medal Description [Left to Right]:
United Nations Medal (UNMOGIP)
The United Nations Medal (UNMOGIP) was awarded to those who served as part of the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan since 1949. The peacekeeping operation was implemented to supervise the ceasefire on the India-Pakistan border and, as the conflict is unresolved, UNMOGIP has remained in the area. The UNMOGIP ribbon has dark to light green shading with white and blue edges. The various shades of green in the wide central band on the ribbon represent the Himalayan Range and the Kashmir Valley, flanked by narrow white stripes representing the snow capped mountains. Two equal bars of UN blue appear at each edge of the ribbon.
United Nations Medal (UNAVEM)
The United Nations Medal (UNAVEM) was awarded to those who served in one of the three United Nations Angola Verification Missions between 1988 and 1997. The peacekeeping operation was implemented to supervise the ceasefire and monitor the transition to peace during the Angolan Civil War. The UNAVEM ribbon is pale blue with yellow edges, separated by narrow stripes of red, white, and black.
United Nations Medal (UNTAC)
The United Nations Medal (UNTAC) was awarded to personnel for peacekeeping service in the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia. UNTAC operated between March 1992 – September 93. The UNTAC ribbon has stripes of dark green, navy, pale blue, and red, with a central white stripe. The green depicts the paddy fields which cover most of Cambodia. The white central stripe is flanked by red stripes representing all the factions’ flags. These are bordered on either side by a band of UN blue and Supreme National Council blue.
United Nations Medal (UNPROFOR)
The United Nations Medal (UNPROFOR) was awarded to those who served as part of the United Nations Protection Force in former Yugoslavia between 1992 and 1995. UNPROFOR’s mandate included the demilitarisation and monitoring of UN safe areas and delivery of humanitarian relief. The UNPROFOR ribbon is blue with a central red stripe edged in white, a green stripe on the left, and a brown stripe on the right. The background of the ribbon is UN blue, with a central wide band of red representing the United Nations Protected Areas (UPAs), flanked by thin stripes of white. A narrow band of green on the left represents forests and on the right side a narrow band of brown represents the mountains.