New Zealand War Service Medal

New Zealand War Service Medal
Obverse (top left) and reverse (top right) of the medal. Ribbon: 32mm, black with white edges.
Awarded by New Zealand
Type	Campaign medal
Eligibility	New Zealand forces.
Awarded for	Campaign service.
Campaign	Second World War 1939-45.
Description	Cupro-nickel disk, 36mm diameter.
Clasps	None authorised.
Statistics
Established	1946
Total awarded	238,000

The New Zealand War Service Medal (NZWSM)was a New Zealand campaign medal for service in World War II.

The NZWSM was approved in 1946, and was awarded to members of the New Zealand armed forces, the National Military Reserve, and the Home Guard. The NZWSM was awarded in addition to the standard Commonwealth campaign awards for World War II.

The NZWSM was awarded for 28 days' full time aggregated service or six months' part time aggregated service between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. Service brought to an end by death on duty, or due to wounds sustained on duty, or honourable discharge as a result of such wounds, automatically qualified for award of the medal.^[1] Some 238,000 medals were issued.^[1]

This medal was the first distinctively ‘New Zealand' campaign medal, which was emphasised by the use of the fern leaf motif on the reverse and the national colours of black and white in the ribbon.

The NZWSM was issued unnamed.

Clasps

None authorised

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b} British Battles and Medals, p257

Bibliography

• Mackay, J and Mussel, J (eds) - Medals Yearbook - 2005, (2004), Token Publishing.
• Joslin, Litherland, and Simpkin (eds), British Battles and Medals, (1988), Spink

External links

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