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Medal for Gallantry

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Medal for Gallantry
File:Medal gallantry aust.png


MGAustRibbon
Obverse of medal and ribbon
Awarded by Australia
Type Medal
Eligibility Members of the Australian Defence Force
Awarded for "acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances"[1]
Status Currently awarded
Post-nominals MG
Statistics
Established 15 January 1991
First awarded 1996
Last awarded 2013 Queen's Birthday Honours
Total awarded 50[2]
Precedence
Next (higher) Star of Gallantry
Next (lower) Commendation for Gallantry

The Medal for Gallantry (MG) is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force. It recognises acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances. The MG was introduced on 15 January 1991, replacing the Imperial equivalent. It is ranked third in the Gallantry Decorations in the Australian Honours System. Recipients of the Medal of Gallantry are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "MG". Since its inception 60 awards have been made.

Description[]

  • The Medal for Gallantry is circular and is made of gold-plated silver. It is ensigned with the Crown of Saint Edward. The obverse bears a Federation Star, which is superimposed on a circle of flames. This image represents action under fire.
  • The reverse shows a horizontal panel superimposed on a design of fluted rays.
  • The Medal for Gallantry is suspended from a 32 millimetre-wide ribbon by a narrow gold-plated silver suspender bar. The ribbon has a design of chevrons of light orange alternating with chevrons of deep orange angled at 60 degrees. The chevron pattern is placed as a stylised "A" with the points facing upwards.

Decoration allowance[]

Veterans who are paid disability pension under the Veterans Entitlements Act 1986 (the Act), and who have been awarded a gallantry award specified in the Act, including the Medal for Gallantry, are also paid a decoration allowance. In May 2011, the allowance was A$2.10 per fortnight.[3]

Notable recipients[]

  • Sergeant "C" (Matthew Locke MG of the Special Air Service Regiment) was subsequently Killed In Action in 2007.[5]
  • Lance Corporal "E" is now known as Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith VC MG of the Special Air Service Regiment. He was awarded the MG for actions in the period May–September 2006 in Afghanistan,[6] and subsequently the VC.[7]
  • Corporal "B", (later identified as Sergeant Brett Wood MG), of the 2nd Commando Regiment was subsequently Killed In Action on 23 May 2011.[8]

List of recipients[]

# name date awarded citation notes
05 ARROWSMITH, CAPT Thomas HenryCAPT Thomas Henry ARROWSMITH June 3, 1998 (Vietnam[9]) [1][10]
Avery, CPL Ryan JamesCPL Ryan James Avery June 11, 2012 For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances on 4 December 2010 while a sniper team member in Mentoring Task Force - Two on Operation SLIPPER in Afghanistan. [2]
B (Brett Wood), CPLCPL B (Brett Wood) 13 June 2011 For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances on Operation SLIPPER in Afghanistan in 2008 (sic - the actions were in 2006). [3][8]
B (2013), CPLCPL B (2013) January 26, 2013 For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances. [4]
04 BOLITHO, 2LT Graeme Eric2LT Graeme Eric BOLITHO 3 June 1998 (Vietnam[9]) [5][11]
06 BOURKE, CAPT James RaymondCAPT James Raymond BOURKE June 3, 1998 (Vietnam[9]) [6][12]
17 BURRIDGE, CPL John Douglas CampbellCPL John Douglas Campbell BURRIDGE December 1, 1999 (Vietnam[9][13][14]) [7][15]
18 BYNG, CPL Trevor WilliamCPL Trevor William BYNG December 1, 1999 (Vietnam[9][13]) [8][16]
25 C (Matthew Locke), SGTSGT C (Matthew Locke) December 2, 2006 For gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances as the second-in-command of a Special Air Service Regiment patrol in the Special Forces Task Group whilst deployed on Operation Slipper, Afghanistan, in 2006. [5][17]
CASH, MAJ Daniel SebastianMAJ Daniel Sebastian CASH January 26, 2008 For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances during operations against Taliban and Anti Coalition Militia while deployed on Operation SLIPPER in Afghanistan, from June to October 2006. [9][18]
BAIRD, CPL Cameron StewartCPL Cameron Stewart BAIRD November 2007 For his conduct during a close quarters combat in Afghanistan during Operation SLIPPER in November 2007
19 CASHMORE, SGT Frank CarrSGT Frank Carr CASHMORE December 1, 1999 (Vietnam[9][13]) [10][19]
20 CASSON, PVT Kevin GeorgePVT Kevin George CASSON December 1, 1999 (Vietnam[9][13]) [11][20]
CLARKE, LCPL Brendan MichaelLCPL Brendan Michael CLARKE June 13, 2011 For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances while a rifleman with Team Three, Mentoring Team C, Mentoring Task Force 1, in the Central Baluchi Valley, Afghanistan on 15 March and 8 July 2010. [12]
21 COLLETT, SGT Brian JohnSGT Brian John COLLETT December 1, 1999 (Vietnam[9][13]) [13][21]
COX, Private David WilliamPrivate David William COX January 26, 2010 For gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances while a rifleman and combat first aider in Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force 1 at Kakarak, Afghanistan on 16 March 2009. [14]
D, SGTSGT D January 26, 2012 For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances. [22]
DOLAN, WO2 Kevin BedeWO2 Kevin Bede DOLAN June 13, 2011 For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances while a joint terminal attack controller for Mentoring Team A, Mentoring Task Force 1, at Sorkh Lez in the Mirabad Valley, Afghanistan on 2 July 2010. [15]
E, PrivatePrivate E[citation needed] December 2014?[citation needed] For gallantry in action going far beyond the expected resulting in the preservation of life in extremely hazardous conditions, whilst deployed on Operation SLIPPER, Afghanistan in 2012.[citation needed] [citation needed]
26 E (Benjamin Roberts-Smith), LCPLLCPL E (Benjamin Roberts-Smith) December 2, 2006 For gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances as a patrol sniper in the Special Operations Task Group – Task Force 637, whilst deployed on Operation SLIPPER Rotation Three Afghanistan, May – September 2006. [6][17]
27 F, TrooperTrooper F December 2, 2006 For gallantry in action in extremely hazardous conditions, as a patrol member in the Special Forces Task Group whilst deployed on Operation SLIPPER, Afghanistan in 2006. [17]
07 GREEN, CAPT Paul EllisCAPT Paul Ellis GREEN June 3, 1998 (Vietnam[9]) [16][23]
22 HANDLEY, Trooper Daniel JohnTrooper Daniel John HANDLEY December 1, 1999 (Vietnam[9][13]) [17][24]
08 HEALY, MAJ John BoydMAJ John Boyd HEALY June 3, 1998 (Vietnam[9]) [18][25]
09 HINDSON, LT William FrancisLT William Francis HINDSON June 3, 1998 (Vietnam[9]) [19][26]
HOLDER, CPL Jeremy ThomasCPL Jeremy Thomas HOLDER January 26, 2008 For an act of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances as a Medical Assistant within the Special Operations Task Group - Task Force 637, while deployed on Operation. [20][18]
HUGGETT, CPL Justin WayneCPL Justin Wayne HUGGETT June 8, 2009 For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances while deployed in Afghanistan with the 1st Battalion, The Grenadier Guards Battle Group during Exercise LONG LOOK 2007. [21]
J, CPLCPL J January 26, 2013 For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances on Operation SLIPPER in Afghanistan, June 2010. [22]
K, PrivatePrivate K January 26, 2012 For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances. [22]
KENDALL, 2LT Geoff2LT Geoff KENDALL August 18, 2008 For actions during the Vietnam War. [23][27]
LANGER, Private Paul BjornPrivate Paul Bjorn LANGER January 26, 2012 For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances on 24 August 2010 while a rifleman with Mentoring Team Delta, the 1st Mentoring Task Force at Derapet, Tangi Valley, Afghanistan. [22]
LANIGAN, SGT Sean AnthonySGT Sean Anthony LANIGAN January 26, 2012 For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances on 24 August 2010 while a platoon sergeant and mentor with Mentoring Team Delta, the 1st Mentoring Task Force at Derapet, Tangi Valley, Afghanistan. [22]
LINES, WO2 John Matthew (Matt)WO2 John Matthew (Matt) LINES January 26, 2010 For gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances while acting as an Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team member at Kakarak, Afghanistan on 4 January 2009. [24]
10 MCDONALD, MAJ WilliamMAJ William MCDONALD June 3, 1998 (Vietnam[9]) [25][28]
11 MCFARLANE, MAJ Ian DavidMAJ Ian David MCFARLANE June 3, 1998 (Vietnam[9]) [26][29]
01 MILLER, Andrew Colin 25 November 1996 [27]
N , CPLCPL N January 26, 2013 For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances. [28]
23 ODDY, Steven March 25, 2000 For gallantry on 16 October 1999 while leading a patrol in the vicinity of Aidabasalaia, East Timor, during Operation WARDEN. [29]
12 PEACOCK, CAPT Christopher John GilbertCAPT Christopher John Gilbert PEACOCK June 3, 1998 (Vietnam[9]) [30][30]
Robertson, Bombadier David StevenBombadier David Steven Robertson June 11, 2012 For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances on 20 March 2011 while a joint fires observer in Mentoring Task Force - Two on Operation SLIPPER in Afghanistan. [31]
SABBEN, 2LT David R2LT David R SABBEN August 18, 2008 For actions during the Vietnam War. [32][31]
S, TrooperTrooper S January 26, 2009 For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances in Afghanistan as part of the Special Operations Task Group during Operation SLIPPER, Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan. [33]
02 SCOTT, Rodrick Malcolm November 25, 1996 [34][32]
13 SIBREE, CAPT Peter AndrewCAPT Peter Andrew SIBREE June 3, 1998 (Vietnam[9]) [35][33]
SIME, Petty Officer Benjamin JamesPetty Officer Benjamin James SIME January 26, 2009 For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances during a waterborne terrorist attack in the North Persian Gulf, Iraq, during Operation CATALYST. [36]
14 SMITH, CAPT Bevan JohnCAPT Bevan John SMITH June 3, 1998 (Vietnam[9]) [37][34]
15 SULLIVAN, 2LT Brian John2LT Brian John SULLIVAN June 3, 1998 (Vietnam[9]) [38][35]
T , PrivatePrivate T June 11, 2012 For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances while deployed on Operation SLIPPER. [39]
TARABORRELLI, CPL Giancarlos BrasilCPL Giancarlos Brasil TARABORRELLI January 26, 2010 For gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances while an Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team member at Kakarak, Afghanistan on 16 March 2009. [40]
03 TILBROOK, Thomas Steven November 25, 1996 [41]
24 WALLACE, Signalman Martin 'Jock'Signalman Martin 'Jock' WALLACE November 27, 2002 Wallace was awarded the Medal for Gallantry for his efforts on 2 March 2002, during Operation Anaconda, while attached to the United States 10th Mountain Division in the Shahi Kot Valley, Afghanistan. [36]
16 WILLIAMS, 2LT Clive Owen Gestern2LT Clive Owen Gestern WILLIAMS June 3, 1998 (Vietnam[9]) [42][37]

Number awarded[]

Only 42 recipients are listed on the "It's an Honour" website. A further 8 recipients have been identified from official publications of the Governor General, the Department of Defence and from special issues of the Australian Government Gazette. Many of the awards have been presented at the official Australia Day ceremonies - held on 26 January - and Queen's Birthday ceremonies - held on the 2nd Monday in June.

Year Australia
Day		 Queen's
Birthday 		Other dates
2013 3 [38] - -
2012 4 [22] 3 [39] - -
2011 - [40] 3 [41] - -
2010 3 [42] - [43] - -
2009 2 [44] 1 [45] - -
2008 2 [46] - [47] 2 18 Aug 2008 [48]
2006 - - 3 2 Dec 2006 [17]
2002 - - 1 27 Nov 2002
2000 - - 1 25 March 2000
1999 - - 6 1 Dec 1999 [13]
1998 - - 13 3 Jun 1998 [9]
1996 - - 3 25 Nov 1996
Totals 14 7 29 Total 50

See also[]

References[]

  1. ↑ "Medal for Gallantry". It's an Honour. Government of Australia. 13 April 2007. http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/awards/medals/medal_for_gallantry.cfm. Retrieved 12 September 2007. 
  2. ↑ Medal Yearbook 2013. Honiton, Devon: Token Publishing. 2013. p. 384. ISBN 978-1-908-828-00-2. 
  3. ↑ "Veteran's Entitlements Act 1986 - Sect 102". Commonwealth Consolidated Acts. Australasian Legal Information Institute (AustLII). http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/vea1986261/s102.html. Retrieved 2007-11-17. 
  4. ↑ Lee, Sandra (2006). 18 Hours: The true story of an SAS War Hero. Sydney: Harper Collins. ISBN 0-7322-8230-6. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Vale SGT Locke, defence.gov.au
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Benjamin Roberts-Smith, defence.gov.au
  7. ↑ Cowan, Sean; Taylor, Nick (22 January 2011). "WA digger awarded VC medal". http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/8693473/wa-digger-awarded-vc-medal/. Retrieved 22 January 2011. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "How Sgt Brett Wood earned a Medal for Gallantry in Afghanistan". 24 May 2011. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/why-sgt-brett-wood-was-awarded-a-medal-for-gallantry/story-e6frf7jo-1226061878021. 
    Vale SGT Wood, defence.gov.au
    To be awarded the medal for gallantry, defence.gov.au
  9. ↑ 9.00 9.01 9.02 9.03 9.04 9.05 9.06 9.07 9.08 9.09 9.10 9.11 9.12 9.13 9.14 9.15 9.16 9.17 9.18 9.19 The Vietnam End of War List. Australian Awards to Service Personnel Announced 3 June 1998 and Subsequently. vvaa.org.au
  10. ↑ CAPT Thomas Henry Arrowsmith, Certificate, vietnamroll.gov.au; National Medal, 10 Feb 1978, itsanhonour.gov.au; Mentioned in Despatches, 19 September 1969, awm.gov.au
  11. ↑ 2LT Graeme Eric Bolitho, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au
  12. ↑ CAPT James Raymond Bourke, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au; National Medal, 9 May 1979;
    AM (Member of the Order of Australia) For service to veterans and their families through the establishment and implementation of 'Operation Aussies Home'. 26 January 2009
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 Awards vide Special Gazette No S565 dated Wednesday 1 Dec 1999 (as a result of the Independent Review of the End of War List)
  14. ↑ Report of the Independent Review Panel of the End of War List - Vietnam, 25 August 1999, defence.gov.au
  15. ↑ CPL John Douglas Campbell Burridge, Certificate, Mentioned in Despatches, www.vietnamroll.gov.au
  16. ↑ CPL Trevor William Byng, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 Soldiers' gallantry honoured, Defence Media Release MECC 337/06, 2 December 2006.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Mark Davis (2008) Gallantry of the highest order, Sydney Morning Herald, 26 January 2008
  19. ↑ Sgt Cashmore, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au; National Medal, 15 May 1978
  20. ↑ Pvt Casson, Certificate and Mentioned in Despatches, www.vietnamroll.gov.au
  21. ↑ Sgt Collett, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 Medal for Gallantry - Australia Day 2012, Media Notes, Governor General's website
  23. ↑ Capt Green, Certificate and Mentioned in Despatches, www.vietnamroll.gov.au; National Medal, 15 May 1981
  24. ↑ Trooper Handley, Certificate and mentioned in Despatches, www.vietnamroll.gov.au
  25. ↑ Maj Healey, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au; National Medal, 14 July 1977; National Medal - 1st clasp, 15 May 1979
  26. ↑ Lt Hindson, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au;
    MC (Military Cross), Special Air Service - Vietnam - 10 December 1968;
    National Medal, 21 September 1977;
    Centenary Medal, "For many years voluntary service to veterans' associations and the Army" - 1 January 2001
  27. ↑ 2LT Kendall, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au; National Medal, 19 March 1979
  28. ↑ Maj McDonald, Certificate and Mentioned in Despatches, www.vietnamroll.gov.au; National Medal, 14 July 1977; National Medal - 1st clasp, 23 October 1981
  29. ↑ Maj McFarlane, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au; National Medal, 14 July 1977; National Medal - 1st clasp, 15 May 1979
  30. ↑ Capt Peacock, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au; National Medal, 18 June 1980
  31. ↑ 2Lt Sabben, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au
  32. ↑ Rodrick Malcolm Scott, OAM (Medal of the Order of Australia), "For meritorious service to the Australian Army performing the duties of Regimental Sergeant Major of the 1st Health Support Battalion and Headquarters 5th Brigade". 26 January 2005
  33. ↑ Capt Sibree, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au; National Medal, 15 May 1978;
    AM (Member of the Order of Australia), "FOR SERVICE TO THE RAA AS COMMANDANT OF THE INFANTRY CENTRE COMMANDER SINGLETON MILITARY AREA". 11 June 1990
  34. ↑ Capt Smith, Certificate and Mentioned in Despatches, www.vietnamroll.gov.au
  35. ↑ 2LT Sullivan, Certificate and Mentioned in Despatches, www.vietnamroll.gov.au;
    MC (Military Cross), Armoured Regiment - Vietnam - 22 May 1970;
    National Medal, 11 March 1981
  36. ↑ Lee, Sandra (2006) 18 Hours: The true story of an SAS War Hero. Sydney: Harper Collins. ISBN 0-7322-8230-6
  37. ↑ 2LT Williams, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au; National Medal, 9 May 1979
  38. ↑ Medal for Gallantry - Australia Day 2013, Media Notes, Governor General's website
  39. ↑ Medal for Gallantry - Queen's Birthday 2012, Media Notes, Governor General's website
  40. ↑ Honours Lists - Australia Day 2011, Governor General's website
  41. ↑ Medal for Gallantry - Queen's Birthday 2011, Media Notes, Governor General's website
  42. ↑ Medal for Gallantry - Australia Day 2010, Media Notes, Governor General's website
  43. ↑ Honours List - Queen's Birthday 2010, Governor General's website
  44. ↑ Medal for Gallantry - Australia Day 2009, Media Notes, Governor General's website
  45. ↑ Medal for Gallantry - Queen's Birthday 2009, Media Notes, Governor General's website
  46. ↑ Medal for Gallantry - Australia Day 2008, Media Notes, Governor General's website
  47. ↑ Honours List - Queen's Birthday 2008, Governor General's website
  48. ↑ Gallantry awards for actions during the Vietnam War, Special Gazette No. S167, 18 August 2008, Commonwealth of Australia

External links[]

Order of Australia
(General Division and Military Division)

OrderAustraliaRibbon Knight/Dame of the Order of Australia (AK/AD)  • OrderAustraliaRibbon/Order of Australia (Military) ribbon Companion of the Order of Australia (AC)  • OrderAustraliaRibbon/Order of Australia (Military) ribbon Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)  • OrderAustraliaRibbon/Order of Australia (Military) ribbon Member of the Order of Australia (AM)  • OrderAustraliaRibbon/Order of Australia (Military) ribbon Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)

Gallantry Decorations

Victoria Cross (UK) ribbon Victoria Cross for Australia (VC)  • SGAustRibbon Star of Gallantry (SG)  • MGAustRibbon Medal for Gallantry (MG)  • Commendation for Gallantry (Australia) ribbon Commendation for Gallantry

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