Star of Gallantry

Star of Gallantry



Medal and ribbon
Awarded by Australia
Type Military decoration
Eligibility Members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and others deemed eligible by the Minister for Defence
Awarded for "Acts of great heroism or conspicuous gallantry in action in circumstances of great peril"[1]
Status Currently awarded
Description A gold-plated silver Federation Star. The ribbon has a design of chevrons of light orange alternating with chevrons of deep orange angled at 60 degrees.
Post-nominals SG
Statistics
Established 15 January 1991
First awarded 26 November 2006
Last awarded 2014 Queen's Birthday Honours
Total awarded 7
Order of Wear
Next (higher) Commander of the Royal Victorian Order[2]
Next (lower) Star of Courage
Related Victoria Cross for Australia
Medal for Gallantry
Unit Citation for Gallantry

The Star of Gallantry (SG) is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and other persons recognised by the Minister for Defence. It is awarded for acts of great heroism or conspicuous gallantry in action in circumstances of great peril. It is the second highest of the military gallantry awards in the Australian Honours System, only surpassed by the Victoria Cross or Victoria Cross for Australia (VC).[3][4][5]

Background

The SG was introduced on 15 January 1991, replacing the Imperial equivalents, (the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal Air and Naval), as second level awards to Other Ranks and ratings. The SG also replaced the Distinguished Service Order, in its role as an award to officers for gallantry. The SG has no rank requirements and all service personnel are eligible. The UK equivalent is the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (CGC) and the US equivalents are the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross and Air Force Cross.

Recipients of the Star of Gallantry are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "SG". Recipients of the award are normally announced in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. Since its inception seven awards have been made.

Government allowance

The Veteran's Entitlements Act 1986 Section 102[6] specifies that the Repatriation Commission may grant an allowance of A$2.10 per fortnight to veterans, serving members of the Australian Defence Force, and members of Peacekeeping Forces who have been awarded the Star of Gallantry, or other "eligible decorations" specified in Section 102.

Description

Recipients

Since its inception, seven awards of the Star of Gallantry have been made:

  1. On 26 November 2006, a soldier identified only as Sergeant A from 4RAR (Commando) became the first recipient of the Star of Gallantry.[7] Sergeant A was awarded the medal for his actions whilst assisting with the extraction of threatened coalition forces in Orūzgān Province, Afghanistan.[8] The medal was presented by Governor General Michael Jeffery.[9]
  2. On 18 August 2008, Lieutenant Colonel Harry Smith was awarded the decoration for his leadership and gallantry during the Battle of Long Tan in the Vietnam War. Smith was originally recommended for the Distinguished Service Order following the battle, but this was subsequently downgraded to the Military Cross. The award of the Star of Gallantry to Smith came as a result of several years of campaigning to the Australian Government resulting in an independent review which recommended the award.[10][11][12]
  3. On Australia Day 2010, special forces soldier Private S received the Star of Gallantry "for acts of conspicuous gallantry in action in circumstances of great peril while a lead scout in Afghanistan in 2008":[13][14]
    Private S’ gallantry ensured the safety of his team, neutralised the enemy and achieved mission success. Private S, as the lead scout of his team, was heavily engaged at close quarters with automatic fire and rocket propelled grenades by a well armed and determined insurgent force. He displayed complete disregard for his personal safety by moving to an exposed firing position in order to fire and throw grenades to suppress enemy within 30 metres of his position. His selfless act enabled the rest of his team to fire and manoeuvre to regain the initiative and neutralise the enemy. His efforts are in the finest traditions of the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force.[15]
  1. On Australia Day 2011, special forces soldier Sergeant P received the Star of Gallantry "For acts of conspicuous gallantry in action in circumstances of great peril while on Operation SLIPPER in Afghanistan"[16] in June 2010 during the Shah Wali Kot Offensive.[17][18]
  2. On 13 June 2011, special forces soldier Sergeant D was awarded the Star of Gallantry in the 2011 Queen's Birthday Honours for "conspicuous gallantry in circumstances of great peril" while serving with the Special Operations Task Group.[19]
  3. On 13 June 2011, special forces soldier Private S was awarded the Star of Gallantry in the 2011 Queen's Birthday Honours for "conspicuous gallantry in circumstances of great peril" while serving with the Special Operations Task Group.[19]
  4. On 9 June 2014, special forces soldier Private B was awarded the Star of Gallantry for "conspicuous gallantry in action in circumstances of great peril while on operations on Operation SLIPPER".[20]

References

  1. ↑ "Star of Gallantry". It's an Honour. Government of Australia. 13 April 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-12.
  2. ↑ Australian Honours Order of Precedence The Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards, Australian Government Gazette, 28 September 2007. Retrieved on 25 July 2009.
  3. ↑ Strictly speaking, "Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in the Military Division" is a higher award than the SG, but the AC is awarded for "Eminent service in duties of great responsibility", not for heroism or gallantry. Refer Order of Wear.
  4. ↑ Star of Gallantry fact sheet, itsanhonour.gov.au. Retrieved on 25 July 2009.
  5. ↑ Star of Gallantry, Defence Honours & Awards, defence.gov.au. Retrieved on 25 July 2009.
  6. ↑ "Veteran's Entitlements Act 1986 - Sect 102". Commonwealth Consolidated Acts. Australasian Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 17 November 2007.
  7. ↑ D.D. McNicoll (2006) Brave Digger wins Star of Gallantry, 27 November 2006, The Australian, theaustralian.news.com.au. Retrieved on 26 January 2010.
  8. ↑ Australian Commandos receive Decorations for Gallantry, Department of Defence media release MSPA 316/06, 26 November 2006, defence.gov.au, retrieved on 25 July 2009.
  9. ↑ Soldier wins highest honour since Vietnam, AAP, appearing in The Australian, 26 November 2006, theaustralian.news.com.au. Retrieved on 25 July 2009.
  10. ↑ Review of Recognition for the Battle of Long Tan and RAAF Ubon: Reports, Publications and Reports, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, 31 March 2008, pmc.gov.au. Retrieved on 25 July 2009.
  11. ↑ Wright, Tony (14 August 2008). "Long Tan men to finally get gallantry medals". theage.com.au. The Age. Retrieved 19 January 2009.
  12. ↑ Harry Smith, SG, 18 August 2008, itsanhonour.gov.au. Citation: For actions during the Vietnam War.
  13. ↑ Lanai Vasek (2010) Gallantry award for private, 26 January 2010, The Australian, www.theaustralian.com.au. Retrieved on 26 January 2010.
  14. ↑ Private S, SG, 26 January 2010, itsanhonour.gov.au. Citation: For acts of conspicuous gallantry in action in circumstances of great peril while a lead scout in Afghanistan in 2008.
  15. ↑ Star of Gallantry, Australia Day 2010 Honours List, www.gg.gov.au. Retrieved on 26 January 2010.
  16. ↑ SGT P, SG, 26 January 2011, itsanhonour.gov.au. Citation: For acts of conspicuous gallantry in action in circumstances of great peril while on Operation Slipper in Afghanistan.
  17. ↑ "Soldier wins Star of Gallantry for Afghan battle". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 25 January 2011.
  18. ↑ David Ellery (27 January 2011). "Digger awarded Star of Gallantry". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  19. 1 2 "Queen's Birthday Honours: Recognition of Service". Army News: The Soldiers' Newspaper. Edition 1261. 23 June 2011. p. 22. Retrieved 30 June 2011. - pdf version, 84MB.
  20. ↑ "Military – Gallantry, Distinguished & Conspicuous" (PDF). Queen's Birthday 2014 Honours List. Australian Honours Secretariat. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
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