AUSTRALIAN MILITARY HONOURS & AWARDS INTRODUCED 1991 AUSTRALIAN ORDER OF PRECEDENCE
|
|||
|
The Victoria Cross for Australia The Victoria Cross for Australia was established on 15 January 1991 as the highest Australian operational gallantry award. It supersedes the Victoria Cross instituted by Queen Victoria in 1856. The Victoria Cross for Australia shall only be awarded for the most conspicuous gallantry or a daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy. Subsequent awards to the same person will be made in the form of a Bar. It may be awarded posthumously. No awards have yet been gazetted.
|
||
The Star of Gallantry The Star of Gallantry was established on 15 January 1991 to accord recognition to members of the Defence Force and certain other persons who perform acts of gallantry in action. The Star of Gallantry shall be awarded only for acts of great heroism or conspicuous gallantry in action in circumstances of great peril. In the order of precedence it ranks after the Victoria Cross of Australia but before the Medal for Gallantry. Subsequent awards to the same person will be made in the form of a Bar. It may be awarded posthumously. No awards have yet been gazetted.
|
|
||
|
The Medal for Gallantry The Medal for Gallantry was established on 15 January 1991 to accord recognition to members of the Defence Force and certain other persons who perform acts of gallantry in action. The Medal for Gallantry shall be awarded only for acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances. In the order of precedence it ranks after the Star of Gallantry but before the Commendation for Gallantry. Subsequent awards to the same person will be made in the form of a Bar. May be awarded posthumously. Twenty Four Australians have been awarded this medal as at March 2002 |
||
Commendation for Gallantry The Commendation for Gallantry was established on 15 January 1991 to accord recognition to members of the Defence Force and certain other persons who perform acts of gallantry in action. The Commendation for Gallantry shall be awarded for other acts of gallantry which are considered worthy of recognition. It may be awarded posthumously. In the order of precedence it ranks after the Medal for Gallantry. Six Australians have been awarded the Commendation as at March 2002. |
|||
|
|
UNIT GALLANTRY & MERITORIOUS SERVICE
These two awards were established in 1991 to recognise gallantry
in action or outstanding service in warlike operations by units
of the Australian Defence Force and/or units of the Defence Forces
of other countries. The insignia for the Unit Citation for Gallantry is gold plated and for the Meritorious Unit Citation, rhodium (silver) plated. The placement of a small Commonwealth Star on the ribbon indicates that the person wearing the insignia was in the unit when the Citation was awarded. The absence of the small Commonwealth Star signifies that the person wearing the insignia was not in the unit when the Citation was awarded. Only members who were part of the Unit when the Citation was awarded may continue to wear the insignia after they cease to be members of that Unit. Australia's national colours of green and gold are used for the Unit Citation for Gallantry and the Meritorious Unit Citation respectively. |
|
