Members of 7RAR have been awarded the following Imperial, Australian, Foreign, Long Service and Commemorative medals
South Vietnam
The Australian Active Service Medal 1945-75
The Australian Active Service Medal 1945-1975 (AASM 45-75) was approved in 1997. It may be awarded for service in prescribed warlike operations from 3 September 1945 until 13 February 1975.
When the award is issued, a clasp with the name of the theatre or action is issued with the medal.
Clasps issued with the AASM 1945-75 are: Korea, Malaya, Malaysia, Thailand, Thai/Malay and Vietnam.
General Service Medal with South Vietnam clasp.
This clasp was instituted by Royal Warrant dated 8 June 1968 for award to Australian personnel. Only 68 clasps were issued, and all 68 went to members of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam.The various qualifying periods, between 24 December 1962 and 29 May 1964, were
- 30 days’ service in ships operating in inland waters or off the Vietnamese coast.
- 1 day in the service of a land unit.
- 1 operational sortie.
- 30 days’ service on an official visit.
The Vietnam Medal
Qualifying service for the Vietnam Medal includes:
- 28 days in ships or craft on inland waters or off the coast of Vietnam.
- One or more days on the posted strength of a unit or formation on land.
- One operational sortie over Vietnam or Vietnamese water by aircrew on the posted strength of a unit.
- Official visits either continuous or aggregate of 30 days.
- One day or more by members of accredited philanthropic organisations attached to Australian forces in an official capacity for full-time duty.
- between 29 May 1964 and 27 January 1973.
Foreign Awards for South Vietnam
United States of America
The Bronze Star Medal
For heroic or meritorious achievement of service, not involving aerial flight in connection with operations against an opposing armed force.
Authorized on February 4, 1944 the Bronze Star Medal is awarded to members of all branches of military service and may be awarded either for combat heroism or for meritorious service.
The bronze “V” identifies the award as resulting from an act of combat heroism or “VALOR”, thus distinguishing it from meritorious achievement awards.
(Army/AF) A Bronze OLC is worn for subsequent awards.
(Navy/USMC/CG) A Gold Star is worn for each subsequent award.
(Army/AF) A Silver Oak Leaf is worn in lieu of 5 Bronze.
(
Navy/USMC/CG) A Silver Star is worn in lieu of 5 Gold.
The Air Medal is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the U.S. Army, will have distinguished himself or herself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. Awards may be made to recognize single acts of merit or heroism, or for meritorious service as described below.
Awards may be made for acts of heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy or while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party, which are of a lesser degree than required for award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Awards may be made for single acts of meritorious achievement, involving superior airmanship, which are of a lesser degree than required for award of the Distinguished Flying Cross, but nevertheless were accomplished with distinction beyond that normally expected.
Republic of Vietnam
The Gallantry Cross is a military decoration of the Republic of South Vietnam . The medal was established on 15 August 1950. The decoration was awarded to military personnel, civilians, and Armed Forces units and organizations in recognition of deeds of valour or heroic conduct while in combat with the enemy.
If the award was made to an individual for valour he received a medal. The award was also awarded to units as a citation (see below)
The Vietnam Armed Forces Honour Medal was awarded to any member of the military who actively contributed to the formation and organization of the Vietnamese military and who actively participating in cadre training of Vietnamese units. The Vietnam Armed Forces was awarded for non-combat service only.
The Vietnam Campaign Medal is a military campaign medal of the Republic of Vietnam . Established in 1966, it was awarded to members of United States, Australian, and New Zealand military forces serving six months or more in support of military operations. The medal was issued to all Australians who had served more than 181 days, either continuous or aggregated, unless:
- killed on active service (KIA);
- wounded in action i.e. classified as a Battle Casualty and evacuated as a result of those wounds; or
- captured and later released or escaped.
Post Vietnam
Australian Active Service Medal 1975: The AASM was established to recognise service in prescribed operational theatres for campaigns post-1975. The AASM is awarded to Defence Force personnel and certain others, such as philanthropic services. Clasps denoting the area of service are awarded with the medal.
- Balkans
- Cambodia
- East Timor
- ICAT (Afghanistan/International Coalition Against Terrorism)
- Iraq
- Iraq 2003
- Kuwait
- Namibia
- Rwanda
- Somalia
- Vietnam 1975
Afghanistan Medal was awarded to members of the Australian Defence Force who render 30 days service (or 30 sorties) with the forces known as:
- Operation Slipper — the ADF contribution to the International Coalition Against Terrorism that:
- commenced on 11 October 2001 in the specified areas comprising the total land areas and superjacent airspace boundaries of Afghanistan;
- commenced on 11 October 2001 and ended on 5 December 2002 in the specified areas comprising the total land areas and superjacent airspace boundaries of Kyrgyztan;
- the specified areas comprising the total land areas, territorial waters inland waterways and superjacent airspace boundaries of Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman, those portions of the Arabian Sea bounded by 68 degrees east and 12 degrees north, and the Gulf of Aden;
- that;
- commenced on 11 October 2001 and ended on 5 December 2002, and
- commenced on 1 January 2009;
The Timor Leste Solidarity Medal was introduced by the President of East Timor in recognition of forces involved in the contribution to stability and peace operations in East Timor. The commencement date is 1 May 2006 and qualification for the medal is:
- Having served a minimum of 180 days continuous or accrued service in East Timor from 1 May 2006; or
- Nominations will be considered for personnel that have served a minimum of 120 days from 1 May 06; or
- Nominations will be considered for personnel who served with a start date in May or June 2006 for a period at least 90 days.
- The qualifying period is not required in the event of death in service in East Timor
Iraq Medal awarded to members of the ADF who render service with the forces known as:
- Operation Catalyst the ADF contribution to the United States led coalition operations in Iraq to support the Australian effort to assist with the rehabilitation of Iraq and remove the threat of weapons of mass destruction that commenced on 16 July 2003 and ended on 31 July 2009, for 30 days service in the specified areas comprising the total land areas, territorial waters, inland waterways and superjacent airspace boundaries of Iraq Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia north of 23 degrees North, the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
- Operation Riverbank from 21 July 2008 personnel attached to the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq as part of Operation Riverbank.
- Operation Kruger from 1 January 2009 personnel deployed on Operation KRUGER as part of the Security Detachment Iraq which protects the Australian embassy in Baghdad.
The Australian Defence Medal is an Australian military decoration which recognises current and former Australian Defence Force personnel who completed an initial enlistment period, or four years service. It was established on 20 March 2006, however it recognises qualifying efficient service of current and former Australian Defence Force Regular and Reserve personnel, including National Servicemen, who have served since 3 September 1945.
Long Service Awards
Meritorious Service Medal (1902-1975)
Available to Warrant Officers, non-commissioned officers and men who rendered valuable and meritorious service. Originally established in 1845 for award to warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the British Army to recognise long and meritorious service. The medal was extended over the years to the various members of the then British Empire, each entity using the exact same medal, modified in most cases by the addition of the name of the Dominion, colony or territory on the reverse and with different ribbons for each area. Prior to 1902 separate ribbons were used by the military forces of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland and Tasmania. The colonial medals were replace in 1903 by a single medal with the words ‘Commonwealth of Australia’ on the reverse and suspended from a ribbon of crimson with two central dark green stripes. This medal was awarded up until 1975, when all Imperial long service awards were replaced by the National Medal. The medal was awarded for 22 years of efficient, faithful, valuable and meritorious service in the Permanent Military Forces. To be eligible, a recipient must have previously been awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
Long Service & Good Conduct Medal The Army Long Service and Good Conduct medal was instituted in 1830 and was awarded to soldiers of good conduct who had completed 18 years service in the regular army.
Defence Force Service Medal To qualify for a DFSM, a member is required to complete 15 years of efficient remunerated service prior to 20 April 1999 and must have been serving on or after 14 February 1975. Clasps are awarded for each further periods of 5 years efficient regular service. Reserve service and Continuous Full Time service in the Reserve does not qualify towards clasps for this medal. From 20 April 1999 the DFSM was replaced by the Defence Long Service Medal (DLSM).
National Medal The NM may be awarded to members of the ADF, Police Force, Fire Service, Ambulance Service, Corrective Services and the Australian Protective Service. For members of the ADF, a member must have completed 15 years remunerated and efficient service (prior to 20 April 1982) and be serving on or after 14 February 1975. Eligibility for the award of the medal and Clasps to members of the ADF ceased on 19 April 1982.
Defence Long Service Medal The Defence Long Service Medal (DLSM) may be awarded to a member who has, on or after 14 February 1975, completed 15 years qualifying remunerated service in the ADF. This includes efficient service in Permanent and Reserve Forces. Clasps are awarded for each further periods of five years efficient service.
Commemorative Medals
The Anniversary of National Service 1951–1972 Medal is a commemorative medal awarded to Australians for their service in post-war national service schemes.