Appendix 1 – United Nations medals

Medallions

1. In common usage, the term “medal” is used to indicate both the metal insignia of an honour, the medallion, and the medallion complete with the ribbon from which it is suspended. Commonly, the name of a specific mission will be prefixed, hence, the “UNDOF Medal”, etc. In a technical sense, the term refers to the medallion only.
2. UN medals are normally awarded to members in theatre before repatriation. However, when a qualified member is repatriated before the medal can be presented, the member’s home unit makes an application on behalf of the member to DH&R (in accordance with Chapter 4) for onward approval by the UN.
3. The UN strictly applies their medals policy and will not consider requests for initial issue of UN medals that are submitted more than one year after repatriation from the mission area.
4. The qualifying service is not required for members killed or presumed killed while on assignment. In such cases, the medal may be awarded posthumously and shall be treated as part of the member’s estate (refer to Chapter 4, paragraph 38).
5. Under UN regulations, the commander of a UN force may waive or recommend the waiving of the qualifying service requirement, e.g., in cases where repatriation is necessary due to injuries or illness directly attributed to the service with the UN. Where qualifying service is waived, the record support unit shall ensure signed documentation is maintained on file.
6. A total of three medallions have been issued to denote service with UN peacekeeping and other missions. The three are:
   
   1. Korea. A bronze medallion bearing on the obverse the representation of the UN symbol in bas-relief and, on the reverse, the wording “FOR SERVICE IN DEFENCE OF THE PRINCIPLES OF THE CHARTER OF THE UNITED NATIONS”, also in bas-relief. The medallion is attached to the ribbon by means of a bar which bears the name “KOREA” in bas-relief. The wording may be in Danish, Dutch, English, French, Greek, Italian, Sanskrit, Spanish, Swedish, Tagalog or Turkish. Canadians received either the English or French version. The medallion is engraved with the recipient’s SN, surname and initials.
      
   2. UNEF (UN Emergency Force - Egypt). A bronze medallion bearing on the obverse the representation of the UN symbol surmounted by the letters “UNEF”, both in bas-relief and, on the obverse, the English words “IN THE SERVICE OF PEACE” in bas-relief.
   3. Standard. A bronze medallion bearing on the obverse the representation of the UN symbol surmounted by the letters “UN” both in bas-relief and, on the reverse, the English words “IN THE SERVICE OF PEACE” in bas-relief. This standard medallion is used for all missions except the two mentioned above.
7. In 1979, the UN created metallic silver numbers, in Arabic numerals, to indicate completion of a second tour of 180 days with a UN mission. The UN regulations establishing the numerals state that they are not retroactive unless an individual returns to a mission in or after June 1979. When that happens, the member includes the extra time spent on the first tour in the calculations for the numeral. The numerals are affixed to the mission’s full-size, miniature and undress ribbon.
8. In accordance with Canadian protocol, two or more UN medals may be worn only where separate distinctive ribbons have been authorized. If a recipient has been awarded the identical medal and ribbon for service on more than one mission, the medal and ribbon shall be worn in the most senior eligible position.
9. UN medals are not typically issued with a certificate, although unofficial “in theatre” certificates are sometimes presented.

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Missions and medals

10. All UN medals are considered peacekeeping medals, except the medal for Korea, which is considered a general UN medal. The medals listed in Figure 9R1-1 are in order of precedence, starting with those with final qualifying dates no later than forty years from the time of the latest amendment of this publication. For older medals refer to Order of Precedence in Chapter 7, Annex A. Mission acronyms are sometimes based in official languages other than English (MINURSO - French, ONUSAL - Spanish, etc.).

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