Updated: 16 November, 2004
NATO
Medals of NATO (Megan C. Robertson)
NATO Medal for former Yugoslavia (Bosnia). More info is contained here. NATO Medal
OSCE Medal - Minted in 1997 to be awarded to military or civilian personnel in recognition of distinguished service rendered to the OSCE, either as an official within the Organization or in the form of external support. The medal is of standard size made of bronze, with a ribbon of blue/white/blue vertical stripes. The front of the medal has the letters "OSCE", "OSZE", in three rows, one on top of the other and framed by olive branches. On the back of the medal is the Latin inscription "Bene Merenti ad OSCE" ("for distinguished service to the OSCE"). Recipients also receive a bar (blue/white/blue) which could be worn on a dress uniform. Recommendations for the award of the medal can come from the Chairman-in-Office, the Secretary General, Heads of OSCE Institutions, Heads of OSCE Missions, and as appropriate, from Participating States. Two OSCE medals have been awarded to date. The first OSCE medal was awarded to Dr. Franz Vranitzky (Austria) in recognition of his outstanding service in Albania as Personal Representative of the Chairman-in-Office between March and November 1997. The second medal was awarded to Ambassador Jan Kubis (Slovakia) on 15 July 1998. Anbassador Kubis was director of the Conflict Prevention Centre from July 1994 to July 1998 and Chairman of the CSCE Committee of Senior Officials when Czechoslovakia held the Chairmanship in 1992. (Ref: Ed Emmering)
No medal was awarded by the O.S.C.E. for OPERATION ALBA in Albania in 1997. However, I have been informed by Antonio Prieto Barrio that the Spanish troops who took part in the operation were awarded the Spanish Merit Badge for Peacekeeping Operations with a bar ALBANIA
Kosovo - In recent weeks, the situation in Kosovo has been a prominent item in the press and news. Here is some information I found on the Kosovo Verification Mission which was established by the Organization on Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia last October (1998). About 2,000 personnel, drawn from the 54 member states of the OSCE, will serve with the Mission. Kosovo is about 100 square kilometres and has been divided into five areas, each with a regional headquarters. The Canadian Forces is sending 23 members to the Kosovo Verification Mission. Fifteen will work as verifiers of the peace agreement while eight will serve in the main Headquarters. It will be interesting to see if a medal will be established for this Mission. Perhaps the NATO Medal with a bar Kosovo??? (Ref: TheMaple Leaf, Vol. 2, No.1, 15 Jan 99). NOTE: NATO did establish a NATO Medal for Kosovo using the standard NATO Medal with a different ribbon and a bar KOSOVO.
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Medal for Macedonia (NATO) This is the newly created NATO medal for service in Macedonia. (Ref: Ed Emering - Image by Hendrik) |
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NATO Article 5 and Non-Article 5 Medals Our good friend Hendrik believes that for the Article 5 Medals that the following applies: Active Endeavour": On 26 October 2001, elements of NATO's Standing Naval Forces were sent to patrol the eastern Mediterranean and monitor shipping; To date, more than 25,000 ships have been monitored. On 10 March 2003, the operation was expanded to include escorting civilian shipping through the Strait of Gibraltar. Apparently this would correspond with the medal with a single gold-threaded stripe. "Eagle Assist": From mid-October 2001 to mid-May 2002, NATO Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) aircraft were sent to help protect the United States: 830 crewmembers from 13 NATO countries flew over 360 sorties. Apparently this would correspond with the medal with a two gold-threaded strips. |
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NATO - This is the ribbon for the new NATO Medal with clasp "Non Article 5" |
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Presentation Ceremony of the NATO Medal to SACEUR General George A Joulwan Nato.int 26 Jun 97 |
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Non-article 5 Medal The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation has approved a Non Article 5 NATO medal for personnel participating in NATO-led operations in the Balkans. NATO inaugurated a new award symbolising the amalgamation of all Balkan operations into one operational whole. In the past each NATO-led operation had its own medal based on specified criteria and qualifying conditions. From 1 January 2003, common criteria will be applicable to each of the NATO-led operations within the Balkans Joint Operations Area (JOA). This medal is authorised to replace the NATO medals issued for NATO Operations “JOINT FORGE” and “JOINT GUARDIAN”. Eligibility for the new medal remains the same as those previous NATO medals with the exception of the dates of service. Those members entering the Balkan theatre on or after December 3, 2002 will be eligible for the new medal. The Balkans JOA is delineated as the political boundaries and airspace of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, FRY (including Kosovo), FYROM, and Albania, based on the detailed description contained in the SFOR, KFOR, Allied Harmony OPLANs. NATO.int Jan 03 |
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NATO Medal for the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. Image by Ed Emmering Mar 04 |
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Medal for Afghanistan (ISAF) Image courtesy of Gerry O'Connor |
