- Medal for Gallantry
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Medal for Gallantry
Obverse of medal and ribbonAwarded by Australia Type Medal Eligibility Members of the Australian Defence Force Awarded for "acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances"[1] Status Currently awarded Statistics Established 15 January 1991 First awarded 1996 Last awarded 23 June 2011 Total awarded 50 Precedence Next (higher) Star of Gallantry Next (lower) Commendation for Gallantry The Medal for Gallantry (MG) is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force. It recognises acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances. The MG was introduced on 15 January 1991, replacing the Imperial equivalent. It is ranked third in the Gallantry Decorations in the Australian Honours System. Recipients of the Medal of Gallantry are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "MG". Since its inception 50 awards have been made.
Contents
Decoration allowance
Veterans who are paid disability pension under the Veterans Entitlements Act 1986 (the Act) and who have been awarded a gallantry award specified in the Act including the Medal for Gallantry are also paid a decoration allowance which as at May 2011 was A$2.10 per fortnight.[2]
Description
- The Medal for Gallantry is circular and is made of gold-plated silver. It is ensigned with the Crown of Saint Edward. The obverse bears a Federation Star, which is superimposed on a circle of flames. This image represents action under fire.
- The reverse shows a horizontal panel superimposed on a design of fluted rays.
- The Medal for Gallantry is suspended from a 32 millimetre-wide ribbon by a narrow gold-plated silver suspender bar. The ribbon has a design of chevrons of light orange alternating with chevrons of deep orange angled at 60 degrees. The chevron pattern is placed as a stylised “A” with the points facing upwards.
Notable recipients
- Signalman Martin "Jock" Wallace MG. Formerly of the 152 Signals Squadron and the Special Air Service Regiment. Awarded 27 November 2002 for actions in Afghanistan on 2 March 2002.[3]
- Sergeant Matthew Locke MG of the Special Air Service Regiment; Killed In Action, 2007.
- Sergeant Brett Wood MG of the 2nd Commando Regiment; Killed In Action, 2011.
- Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith VC MG of the Special Air Service Regiment.[4]
See also
References
- ^ "Medal for Gallantry". It's an Honour. Government of Australia. 13 April 2007. http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/awards/medals/medal_for_gallantry.cfm. Retrieved 2007-09-12.
- ^ "Veteran's Entitlements Act 1986 - Sect 102". Commonwealth Consolidated Acts. Australasian Legal Information Institute. http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/vea1986261/s102.html. Retrieved 2007-11-17.
- ^ Lee, Sandra (2006). 18 Hours: The true story of an SAS War Hero. Sydney: Harper Collins. ISBN 0732282306.
- ^ Cowan, Sean; Taylor, Nick (22 January 2011). "WA digger awarded VC medal". The West Australian. http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/8693473/wa-digger-awarded-vc-medal/. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
External links
Categories:- Military awards and decorations of Australia
- Order, decoration, and medal stubs
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