The General Service Medal 1962 was instituted in 1964 to supersede both the Naval General Service Medal 1915 and the General Service Medal 1918 (Army and RAF). The medal is always issued with a clasp denoting the area or purpose of operations. Subsequent service is recognised by the award of further clasps to be worn on the original medal.
The medal is cupro-nickel with the obverse having the effigy of the Queen.
The reverse bears the words ‘FOR CAMPAIGN SERVICE’ under a crown, all surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves.
The ribbon is purple with two outer stripes of dark green.
A total of thirteen clasps have been issued to date. Most of these are for British campaigns and operations. The clasps most commonly awarded to Australians are Borneo, Malay Peninsula and South Vietnam. The South Vietnam clasp was awarded exclusively to Australian troops.
Members mentioned in despatches for operations recognised by the General Service Medal 1962 were approved to wear a bronze oak leaf on the medal ribbon.