Display No. 21H
Campaign Medals – NZ Service Medal 1946-49
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). The New Zealand Service Medal 1946-49 is specifically awarded to New Zealanders for service in post-war Japan. It was principally introduced to recognise personnel serving with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan and so is sometimes referred to as the J Force medal.
Medal(s)
Medal Description;
New Zealand Service Medal 1946-49
Instituted in 1995 to recognise New Zealand forces who served in occupation forces in Japan between March 1946-March 1949. In 2002 the regulations were amended to also recognise service between September 1945 – March 1946 including the crews of HMNZ Ships Gambia and Achilles in Japanese waters. The stripes on the medal ribbon represent the national colours of New Zealand (black and white) and Japan (red and white).