New Zealand Gallantry Star

New Zealand Gallantry Star
Obverse of the medal
TypeMilitary decoration.
Awarded for"acts of outstanding gallantry in situations of danger" while involved in war and warlike operational service (including peacekeeping).
Description45mm, (Obverse) faceted silver eight-pointed star of equal points surmounted by the Royal Crown and fern frond wreath emblem; (reverse) inscribed "FOR GALLANTRY - MO TE TOANGA". With ring suspension.
Presented byNew Zealand
EligibilityNew Zealand and allied forces.
StatusCurrently awarded.
Established20 September 1999
First awarded5 June 2000[1]
Last awarded3 December 2015[1]
FounderElizabeth II
Total5
Ribbon: 32mm, crimson with a purple central stripe flanked by narrower white stripes.
Precedence
Next (higher)Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit[2]
Next (lower)New Zealand Bravery Star[2]

The New Zealand Gallantry Star (NZGS) is the second level military decoration of the New Zealand armed forces.

It was instituted by Royal Warrant on 20 September 1999[3] as part of the move to replace British gallantry awards with an indigenous New Zealand Gallantry system. The medal, which may be awarded posthumously, is granted in recognition of "acts of outstanding gallantry in situations of danger" while involved in war or warlike operational service (including peacekeeping).

Bars are awarded to the NZGS in recognition of the performance of further acts of gallantry meriting the award. Recipients are entitled to the postnominal letters "N.Z.G.S.".[4]

This medal replaced the award of the Distinguished Service Order (when awarded for gallantry), the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal.

Recipients

Name Rank Unit Campaign Date of action
Neville John Reilly Colonel Colonel’s List, New Zealand Army United Nations Mission in East Timor June - September 1999
David Steven Askin Corporal New Zealand Special Air Service War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) 2011
J Undisclosed New Zealand Special Air Service War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) 28 June 2011
Albert Henry Moore Corporal Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) 3 August 2011
Geoffrey Michael Faraday Major Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps United Nations Mission in South Sudan 17 - 29 April 2014

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b "New Zealand gallantry awards". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Order of Wear: Orders, Decorations and Medals in New Zealand". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  3. ^ "New Zealand Gallantry Awards". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  4. ^ "NZDF Medals - The New Zealand Gallantry Star (NZGS)". medals.nzdf.mil.nz. Retrieved 22 June 2020.

References

  • Mackay, J and Mussel, J (eds) - Medals Yearbook - 2005, (2004), Token Publishing.