New Zealand Service Medal 1946–1949

The New Zealand Service Medal 1946–1949 is a

• Members of the armed services were required to have completed 28 days of service in Japan,
• Members of the
  New Zealand Merchant Navy
  were required to have spent an aggregate of 28 days in Japanese territory or territorial waters, working with or alongside a New Zealand government contribution to the occupation forces,
• Aircrew of civilian airlines incorporated in New Zealand were required to have completed an aggregate of 48 flying hours in Japanese airspace,
• Civilians qualified if they had spent 28 days in Japan working with or alongside a New Zealand government contribution to the occupation forces.[2]

Service terminated by death, wounds or disability due to service, withdrawal at the direction of the New Zealand Government for official reasons, or the award of a Royal Honour for gallantry, bravery, or meritorious service, qualified for the award of the medal, regardless of whether the length of service requirement had been met.^[2]

Since 1995 this medal has been issued to over 4,700 veterans or their families. About 13,000 New Zealanders, including several hundred women, are eligible for this medal.^[1]

Clasps

None authorised

See also

• British Commonwealth Occupation Force

Notes

Bibliography

• Mackay, J and Mussel, J (eds) – Medals Yearbook – 2005, (2004), Token Publishing.
• Laurie Brocklebank, Jayforce: New Zealand and the Military Occupation of Japan 1945–48, Auckland: Oxford University Press, 1997.
• Ian McGibbon (editor), The Oxford Companion to New Zealand Military History, Auckland: Oxford University Press, 2000, pp. 256–258.

External links

• New Zealand Defence Force – Medal information page
• New Zealand Defence Force – Text of the Royal authorisation warrant