AUSTRALIAN MILITARY HONOURS & AWARDS 

                                         INTRODUCED 1991

                                 AUSTRALIAN ORDER OF PRECEDENCE

 

VC

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.

 

 SG

 MG

 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.

 

Commendattion for Gallantry

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Unit Citation for Gallantry  (UGC)

 

 

 

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 is a sterling silver rectangular frame with provision for a ribbon to be inset. The frame has a pattern of flames indicating that the award was earned under active service conditions.

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.