Australian Active Service Medal

The Australian Active Service Medal recognises service of Australian Defence Force and certain other persons in prescribed warlike operations.

Another award entitled, Australian Active Service Medal 1945-1975, also recognises service of Australian Defence Force and certain other persons in prescribed warlike operations for service only during the period 1945 to 1975.

History
The Australian Active Service Medal was established on 13 September 1988 by Letters Patent but it is for service from February 1975 onwards.

How it is awarded
The Governor-General awards the Australian Active Service Medal on the recommendation of the Chief of the Defence Force or their delegate.

The medal is awarded with a clasp to denote the prescribed operation. Subsequent awards to the same person are made with an additional clasp.

The Governor-General has approved the following clasps for the award of the Australian Active Service Medal: Kuwait, Cambodia (20/10/91-7/10/93), Balkans (12/1/92-24/1/97), Vietnam 1975, East Timor (Faber 16/9/99-23/2/00, Warden 16/9/99-10/4/00, Tanager 20/2/00-19/5/02, Citadel 20/5/02-17/8/03), Somalia (Solace 10/1/93-21/5/93, Land & Air 2 nd UN Op 1/5/93-Present), Namibia, Rwanda, ICAT and IRAQ 2003.

Medal design

Australian Active Service Medal
The Australian Active Service Medal is a nickel-silver medal ensigned with the Crown of St Edward. The obverse shows a Federation Star flanked by a wreath of mimosa.

The reverse bears a stylised laurel wreath surrounding the inscription 'For Active Service'.

Medal ribbon
The medal ribbon has a central red stripe to symbolise the danger of warlike operations. It is flanked by stripes of silver-green which in turn are flanked by stripes of light green, gold, dark green and brown.