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What is the Dutch name for this medal?

In the Dutch language, this award is called the Herinneringsmedaille Vredesoperaties. Queen Beatrix created this official title in 2001 to replace several older, separate medals. This new medal helped create one single, simple award for all Dutch peace missions. It is now the main medal given to soldiers and police for keeping peace in many countries.

How long must a soldier serve abroad to get this medal?

To get this award, a soldier must work on an official mission for at least 30 days in a row. These missions must be approved by leaders to help stop fights or bring safety to a region. This rule makes sure the medal is only given to those who stay long enough to finish the mission's goals. It proves that the person truly helped out in a tough area.

What does the medal look like?

This medal is round and made out of silver. The front shows a sword that is pointing straight up. Wrapped around the sword is an olive branch, which is a very old sign of peace. By putting the sword and the branch together, the medal shows that the soldier uses strength to try and keep the world peaceful.

Can civilian police officers receive this military medal?

Yes, police officers can earn this honor just like military members do. Many Dutch police units travel to other countries to help keep neighborhoods safe and make sure laws are followed. As long as they serve on an official mission for 30 days, they earn the right to wear the medal. It shows they worked hard to help other nations find peace.

How are different deployments shown on the uniform?

Soldiers attach small metal bars called clasps onto the colorful ribbon of the medal. Each clasp has a name printed on it, like the country where the soldier went or the name of the operation. If a soldier goes on many missions, they can add more bars to their ribbon. These labels tell a story about everywhere the soldier traveled to help people.

What is the Dutch name for this medal?

In the Dutch language, this award is called the Herinneringsmedaille Vredesoperaties. Queen Beatrix created this official title in 2001 to replace several older, separate medals. This new medal helped create one single, simple award for all Dutch peace missions. It is now the main medal given to soldiers and police for keeping peace in many countries.

How long must a soldier serve abroad to get this medal?

To get this award, a soldier must work on an official mission for at least 30 days in a row. These missions must be approved by leaders to help stop fights or bring safety to a region. This rule makes sure the medal is only given to those who stay long enough to finish the mission's goals. It proves that the person truly helped out in a tough area.

What does the medal look like?

This medal is round and made out of silver. The front shows a sword that is pointing straight up. Wrapped around the sword is an olive branch, which is a very old sign of peace. By putting the sword and the branch together, the medal shows that the soldier uses strength to try and keep the world peaceful.

Can civilian police officers receive this military medal?

Yes, police officers can earn this honor just like military members do. Many Dutch police units travel to other countries to help keep neighborhoods safe and make sure laws are followed. As long as they serve on an official mission for 30 days, they earn the right to wear the medal. It shows they worked hard to help other nations find peace.

How are different deployments shown on the uniform?

Soldiers attach small metal bars called clasps onto the colorful ribbon of the medal. Each clasp has a name printed on it, like the country where the soldier went or the name of the operation. If a soldier goes on many missions, they can add more bars to their ribbon. These labels tell a story about everywhere the soldier traveled to help people.

Home Library NetherlandsCommemorative Medal for Peace Operations

Service medal

Commemorative Medal for Peace Operations

This medal honors Dutch service personnel who participate in authorized peacekeeping and peace enforcement missions around the world.

Netherlands Established 2001 All servicesPrecedence: Worn immediately after historic campaign medals and before branch-specific operational medals

Medals & Awards

Awarded For

Awarded for serving at least thirty continuous days on an authorized international peace support or crisis operation.

Eligibility

Active-duty Dutch military personnel, reservists, and police units assigned to peacekeeping and stabilization missions.

Branch

All services

Precedence

Worn immediately after historic campaign medals and before branch-specific operational medals

Commemorative Medal for Peace Operations, Service medal, Netherlands medal

History

Queen Beatrix instituted the Commemorative Medal for Peace Operations in 2001 to simplify and replace earlier separate peacekeeping medals, such as the Multinational Peace Operations Commemorative Medal. The goal was to provide one standardized medal for all major modern deployments.

Dutch soldiers have deployed under United Nations, NATO, and European Union flags to maintain stability in trouble spots across the globe. Service members wore this decoration after completing missions in the Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan, and African nations.

Recipients receive special ribbon clasps showing the name of the operation or country where they completed their service. The medal remains the primary deployment medal for modern Dutch soldiers serving abroad.

Frequently Asked Questions

Used In

Yugoslav WarsWar in AfghanistanIraq WarMali Peacekeeping Mission

Veterans Who Received This Award

Realistic illustration of the military medals and badges awarded to Peter van den Berg, including Army Operational Service Medal, Resistance Memorial Cross, Commemorative Medal for Peace Operations, Cross for Justice and Freedom, shown against a light Netherlands flag background. AI-generated illustration, not an authentic photograph.

Afghanistan

Army Operational Service Medal Resistance Memorial Cross Commemorative Medal for Peace Operations+1

Peter van den Berg

How Did Dutch Troops Serve in Recent Conflicts?

A Dutch officer serving in modern peacekeeping and operational roles.

Netherlands2006-05-01

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Sources

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