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How long does someone need to serve to earn the NZDSM?

To earn this medal, a soldier must complete at least three years of honorable service. This rule applies to everyone who served in the regular army, the reserves, or during times of national service. It was designed to recognize the hard work of over 160,000 New Zealand veterans who served their country.

What do the ribbon clasps indicate?

Clasps are small metal bars that are pinned onto the medal's ribbon. They show the specific type of duty a person performed during their career. These bars mark if a veteran served in the Regular Force, the Territorial Force, the Reserves, or during Compulsory Military Training.

Can veterans who served in the 1950s receive this medal?

Yes, veterans from the 1950s are eligible for this honor. The medal was created in 2011 to cover all military service performed since September 1945. Before this medal existed, many people who served for only a few years never received any reward for their important time in the military.

What colors are on the medal ribbon?

The ribbon features vertical stripes of black and white. These colors have deep meaning in New Zealand and are used to show the nation's pride. The design is simple but stands out to honor the people who served in the Navy, Army, and Air Force.

Can a person have more than one clasp on this medal?

Yes, it is possible for a veteran to wear more than one clasp on their ribbon. This happens if a person served in different branches of the military during their career. It serves as a special way to show all the different roles a person played while they helped defend their country.

How long does someone need to serve to earn the NZDSM?

To earn this medal, a soldier must complete at least three years of honorable service. This rule applies to everyone who served in the regular army, the reserves, or during times of national service. It was designed to recognize the hard work of over 160,000 New Zealand veterans who served their country.

What do the ribbon clasps indicate?

Clasps are small metal bars that are pinned onto the medal's ribbon. They show the specific type of duty a person performed during their career. These bars mark if a veteran served in the Regular Force, the Territorial Force, the Reserves, or during Compulsory Military Training.

Can veterans who served in the 1950s receive this medal?

Yes, veterans from the 1950s are eligible for this honor. The medal was created in 2011 to cover all military service performed since September 1945. Before this medal existed, many people who served for only a few years never received any reward for their important time in the military.

What colors are on the medal ribbon?

The ribbon features vertical stripes of black and white. These colors have deep meaning in New Zealand and are used to show the nation's pride. The design is simple but stands out to honor the people who served in the Navy, Army, and Air Force.

Can a person have more than one clasp on this medal?

Yes, it is possible for a veteran to wear more than one clasp on their ribbon. This happens if a person served in different branches of the military during their career. It serves as a special way to show all the different roles a person played while they helped defend their country.

Home Library New ZealandNew Zealand Defence Service Medal

Service medal

New Zealand Defence Service Medal

This medal honours New Zealanders who have faithfully served three or more years in the armed forces.

New Zealand Established 2011 All servicesPrecedence: Worn in the service and long service section of the New Zealand Order of Wear

Medals & Awards

Awarded For

Awarded for completing three years of honorable military service in the regular, reserve, or national service forces.

Eligibility

Past and present members of the Royal New Zealand Navy, New Zealand Army, and Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Branch

All services

Precedence

Worn in the service and long service section of the New Zealand Order of Wear

New Zealand Defence Service Medal, Service medal, New Zealand medal

History

The New Zealand Defence Service Medal was instituted in April 2011 by Queen Elizabeth II. For decades, New Zealand only awarded medals for long career service of fifteen years or more, or for deployments to combat zones. This left tens of thousands of personnel who served honorable short careers or national service without any medal.

The medal was created to recognize anyone who completed three years of attested service since the end of the Second World War. Clasps are attached to designate Regular, Territorial, Reserve, or Compulsory Military Training service. It is estimated that more than 160,000 Kiwi veterans became eligible for this honor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Used In

Cold War Vietnam War War in AfghanistanIraq War

Veterans Who Received This Award

Realistic illustration of the military medals and badges awarded to Willie Apiata, including Victoria Cross for New Zealand, New Zealand Gallantry Star, New Zealand Gallantry Decoration, New Zealand Gallantry Medal, New Zealand General Service Medal 2002, New Zealand Operational Service Medal, New Zealand Defence Service Medal, shown against a light New Zealand flag background. AI-generated illustration, not an authentic photograph.

Afghanistan

Victoria Cross for New Zealand New Zealand Gallantry Star New Zealand Gallantry Decoration+4

Willie Apiata

Who Was Willie Apiata?

The first recipient of the Victoria Cross for New Zealand for bravery in Afghanistan.

New Zealand20 July 2004

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Sources

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