New Zealand Operational Service Medal

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New Zealand Operational Service Medal
Obverse (top left) and reverse (top right) of the medal. Ribbon: 32mm, black with six white stripes.
Awarded by New Zealand
Type	Campaign medal
Eligibility	New Zealand forces.
Awarded for	Campaign service.
Campaign	All NZ personnel awarded a medal for operational service since 3 Sept 1945.
Description	Silver plated base metal disk, 38mm diameter.
Clasps	None authorised.
Statistics
Established	July 2002
Total awarded	19,000

The New Zealand Operational Service Medal (NZOSM) is a New Zealand campaign medal for award to New Zealanders who have served on operations since 3 September 1945. The medal was instituted in 2002 to provide specific New Zealand recognition for operational service. It is awarded in addition to any New Zealand, Commonwealth or foreign campaign medal. It is awarded once only to an individual, regardless of how many times he or she has deployed on operations.

Personnel and veterans who have been awarded a campaign medal for operational service since 3 September 1945 qualify for the award of the NZOSM, provided that the particular campaign medal has been approved for acceptance and wear by New Zealanders. In addition, personnel who, under certain circumstances, have not completed the qualifying period for an approved campaign medal, but who have completed a specific period of service in an operational area towards such a medal (generally seven days on the posted strength of a qualifying unit), are eligible for the NZOSM.

To date, the NZOSM has been issued to over 19,000 veterans, currently serving military personnel and civilians. It is estimated that over 40,000 New Zealanders are eligible for this medal.