War and Operational Service Medals
Canadian Korea Medal
The Korean War marked the first time that the United Nations sent armed forces into combat to stop aggression. Armed forces and medical support units from 20 United Nations member states, along with the Republic of Korea and Italy, teamed together under the United Nations banner on the Korean peninsula to halt the threatened takeover of the Republic of Korea. The Medal was instituted in 1951.
Canadian Volunteer Service Medal for Korea
More than 26 000 men and women volunteered to serve with the Canadian Forces in the Far East in the early 1950s. These veterans have been entitled to wear the Canadian Korea Medal and/or the United Nations Service Medal for Korea since the end of the conflict in 1953. The Canadian Volunteer Service Medal for Korea was subsequently created on July 12, 1991.
Eligibility
The Medal is awarded to former members of the Canadian Forces who volunteered and served in Korea and the adjacent areas, including Japan, Okinawa and Korean waters, during all or part of the period from June 27, 1950, to July 27, 1954.
Potential recipients must have either:
- served for at least one day with an army unit or formation in Korea;
- served for at least 28 days aboard a ship or craft engaged in operations;
- flown one sortie over Korea or Korean waters in the Yellow Sea or Sea of Japan;
- or accumulated at least 28 days of service in the qualifying area.
The Medal may be awarded posthumously.
Description: a circular medal of copper and zinc alloy:
- on the obverse of which appears the crowned effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, circumscribed with the legend ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA , and incorporating the word CANADA at the bottom, and
- on the reverse of which is centred the inscription KOREA VOLUNTEER . 1950-1954 . VOLONTAIRE CORÉE within a laurel wreath, with a maple leaf centred at the bottom
- the Medal is worn suspended from a yellow ribbon that is 32 mm in width, bordered on each exterior edge with a United Nations blue stripe 7 mm in width, with a central red stripe 6 mm in width on which is centred a 2-mm-wide white stripe
Gulf and Kuwait Medal
The Gulf and Kuwait Medal recognizes the participation of CF members deployed or in direct support of the operations against Iraq during the Gulf war. The medal is awarded to those employed during the build up of troops before the beginning of hostilities and a bar is awarded for those deployed during the actual war.
Somalia Medal
The Somalia Medal recognizes the participation of CF members in the mission to stabilize the country following the civil war in Somalia and to offer humanitarian aid.
South-West Asia Service Medal (SWASM)
The South-West Asia Service Medal recognizes the participation of CF members deployed or in direct support of the operations against terrorism in South-West Asia. The medal is awarded to those employed in direct support, and a bar is added for those deployed into the theatre of operation.
General Campaign Star (GCS)
This general service award has been created as a means to recognize - in a timelier manner - those who serve in operations in the presence of an armed enemy. Rather than creating a new honour for each new Canadian Forces operation as it arises, the General Campaign Star and General Service Medal - with their theatre or service specific ribbons - can be awarded in future to honour participation in any operation that meets the criteria.
The General Campaign Star is awarded to members of the Canadian Forces and members of allied forces working with the Canadian Forces who deploy into a defined theatre of operations to take part in operations in the presence of an armed enemy.
General Service Medal (GSM)
This general service award has been created as a means to recognize – in a timelier manner – members of the CF and members of allied forces serving with the CF who deploy outside of Canada - but not necessarily into a theatre of operations - who provide direct support, on a full-time basis, to operations in the presence of an armed enemy. The GSM may also be awarded, depending on the operation, to Canadian citizens other than members of the Canadian Forces, who are deployed outside Canada, either inside or outside a theatre of operations and working with the CF to provide direct support, on a full-time basis, to operations in the presence of an armed enemy.
Rather than creating a new honour for each new Canadian Forces operation as it arises, the General Service Medal – with its theatre or service specific ribbons – can be awarded in future to honour participation in any operation that meets the criteria.
Operational Service Medal
The Operational Service Medal was created on July 5, 2010 as a means to recognize those who serve in or provide support to overseas operations other than those conducted in the presence of an armed enemy.
The Medal will be awarded to Canadian military personnel, civilians under the authority of the Canadian Forces, members of allied forces integrated within the Canadian Forces, as well as to Canadian police officers who have taken part in important missions overseas. Rather than creating a new honour for each new Canadian Forces operation as it arises, the Medal - with its theatre or task specific ribbons - can be awarded to honour participation in any operation that meets the eligibility criteria.
The Medal may also be awarded to civilians who have served in a theatre of operations outside Canada under dangerous circumstances, at the initiative, by the nomination or with the agreement of the Government of Canada.
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| South-West Asia (OSM-SWA) |
Sierra Leone (OSM-SL) |
Haiti (OSM-H) |
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| Sudan (OSM-S) |
HUMANITAS (OSM-HUM) |
EXPEDITION (OSM-EXP) |
Artistic rendering, with the permission of the Canadian Heraldic Authority, Chancellery of Honours
For more information on the eligibility criteria, please visit the Directorate of Honours and Recognition section of the Department of National Defence website.
Description of the medal
The Medal, which is silver in colour, consists of a circular medallion that is 36 mm across, with a straight suspension bar.
On the obverse of the Medal appears a contemporary effigy of Her Majesty The Queen of Canada with the inscriptions “Elizabeth II Dei Gratia Regina” and “CANADA”, separated by small maple leaves.
On the reverseof the Medal appears from top to bottom the Royal Crown, on either side of which are three maple leaves joined on one stem, a representation of the globe and crossed branches of laurel and oak leaves.
The Medal shall be worn following the General Service Medal in the order of precedence in the Canadian Honours System.
