The Australia Service Medal 1939-1945 was instituted in 1949 to recognise the service of members of the Australian Armed Forces and the Australian Mercantile Marine during World War II.
Eligibility
The medal was originally awarded to those who served at home or overseas for at least 18 months full-time service, or three years part-time service, between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. Members of the Australian Mercantile Marine must have served the qualifying time at sea.
In 1996, the qualifying time was reduced to 30 days full-time or 90 days part-time service.
To be eligible for the medal a service member must have been honourably discharged from the Australian Armed Forces.
Civilian personnel
Australian civilian personnel who served afloat with the United States Army Small Ships Section between 8 December 1941 and 2 September 1945 may also be eligible. The following official documentation can be used to support a claim:
- Certificate of Service or Certificate of Discharge (must contain enlistment and discharge dates)
- Defence Department Form 214 – Certificate of Release or discharge from Active Duty containing dates and ship names to which the member was assigned.
- United States Army Forces in Australia, Small Ships Supply Command Civilian Personnel Record Card. This card will contain the Assignment Record that lists the ships the member was assigned to and their period of duty for the assignment
- Form TCCP 50 – United States Army Supply Service Transfer/Reclassification Occurrence Report. This occurrence report will contain the ships the member was assigned to and their period of duty for the assignment
- pay card or individual earnings record.
The following associated documentation can be used in conjunction with the official documentation:
- certified copies of letters sent by the member. Must contain a postmark from a location within the operational area
- certified copy of a diary written by member
- medical certificates showing the member attending a medical centre within the operational area.
Relevant documentation can be requested from United States Army Human Resources Command website.
Design
The medal is nickel silver with the crowned effigy of King George VI on the obverse.
The reverse has the Australian coat of arms, placed centrally, surrounded by the words The Australia Service Medal 1939-1945.
The ribbon has a wide khaki central stripe, flanked by two narrow red stripes, which are in turn flanked by two outer stripes, one of dark blue and the other of light blue. The khaki represents the Australian Army, and the red, dark blue and light blue represent the Merchant Navy, Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force respectively.
Source documents
Royal Warrant (Gazette 91) of 30 November 1949 (PDF, 117.47 KB)
Amendment to Conditions (Gazette S309) of 21 August 1996 (PDF, 367.59 KB)