Antarctic Service Medal

[kiwirotorwrench]

Anyone notice in the May/June Air Force news page 12 "ANZAC Day Remembered" photo, that the two gentlemen closest to the camera appear to be wearing their US Antarctic Service Medal (US ASM).
www.airforce.mil.nz/downloads/pdf/airforce-news/afn92web.pdf
I was curious if this is a common occurrence in NZ. I know the NZ Antarctic Veterans Assoc antarctic.homestead.com/ has been campaigning to get the US ASM approved for wear in NZ with the RSA's help, but it seems to have stalled of late. Given that the Sinai medal (basically a US inspired medal) was retroactively approved 10 years after being first awarded, and given the status of a campaign medal, I can see where people that have done time in the Antarctic can feel a bit miffed about the lack of recognition for NZ's over 50 years of Defence support on the ICE.
Anyone else know if it is common for vets to mount the ASM at the end of the bar as a foreign medal?

Cheers
KC

[penguin]

I, too, have strong views on this subject. I was "awarded" the US ASM by my winter-over OIC colleague at McMurdo at the end of the wintering-over tour of duty. I have continued to feel 'let down' that our government saw fit to only give each of us that had spent 12-13 months on the ice at Scott Base, a certificate in recognition of our service.
I have worn with pride, the US ASM each Anzac Day for some years now. My fellow RSA members (me also being a service member), have always expressed keen interest in my Antarctic service and not one has ever suggested that wearing the medal is inappropriate.
I shall continue to feel proud of my "service to my country" (and others) in the most dangerous environment on earth. Yes, a medal would be an appropriate gesture!
G
Former OIC (winter), Scott Base

[Dave Homewood]

Welcome to the forum Penguin. I admire your views, New Zealand should indeed recognise officially the service of our people who risk their lives in the Antarctic, especially as the scientific work going on their affects all our futures.

I'd love to hear more about what it's like to spend so long down there. Do you have any memories or photos you'd like to share? Were you with No. 3 Squadron?

[kiwirotorwrench]

Here is a copy of a letter I sent to Mr Goff 2 1/2 years ago. I did receive a reply, although it was rather generic and "PC". NZRSA seems to have dropped the ball if you read there last annual report re the new NZ Antarctic Medal (which replaced the Polar Medal). NZAM is a high Honor up there with QSM, DSD and BEM's. The Special Service Medal seems to "hit the nail right on the head" in description, not being a operational service or campaign specific acknowledgment of NZ service. My letter follows. Your thoughts??

Keith Cooper
108 Prague St
San Mateo
California 94401
Dec 26th 2005
[e-mail]


Hon Phil Goff
Minister of Defence
Parliament Buildings
Wellington
New Zealand

Dear Sir,
I am writing to you as an ex member of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (1978-1988) in regards to the lack of recognition of service by New Zealanders in Antarctica during the last 50 years. I am happy to see that since I left the service, more medallic recognition has been forthcoming to New Zealand service personnel. The New Zealand Medals Initiatives 1992 to 2004 has done a wonderful job of recognizing Service personnel. Since leaving the RNZAF in 1988, I have received in the mail the NZ Operational Service medal, NZ General Service Medal (non-warlike) and the recognition of the MFO Sinai medal, which I wear all of proudly, including this past ANZAC Day at Gallipoli.
I was also awarded the US Antarctic Service Medal for my exchange duty with the US Navy VXE-6 Helicopter squadron at McMurdo Station Antarctica in 1986. As a New Zealand citizen I would not be entitled to wear it, but as a United States Resident I do meet the criteria.
I was pleased to see the announcement from the Prime Minister on December 26, 2005 that The New Zealand Special Service Medal (Asian Tsunami) has been approved for personnel involved in last years relief efforts. I am now hopeful that this may be the right time for the NZ Government to consider recognition of service in Antarctica since the 50-year anniversary of New Zealand’s involvement in the “modern” Antarctic exploration is fast approaching. For reference the RNZAF formed the Antarctic Flight in 1956. The Flight took a Beaver and Auster airplane to Antarctica in the summer of 1956/57 to support the New Zealand contribution to the British lead Trans-Antarctic Expedition. Since then New Zealanders have supported the exploration in these harsh and unforgiving locations with such expertise that it is now considered “the norm” to operate and support bases and field camps in such a remote and hazardous area.
The initial press release for the NZ Special Service Medal on 18th March 2002 included the following:
"The medal will recognize service to New Zealand in very difficult, adverse, extreme, or hazardous circumstances. Such service often involves risk (whether physical, environmental, or psychological) similar to operational service, without fitting the criteria of operational service."

I believe that service in Antarctica well and truly fits the above criteria, and that consideration should be given to award a NZ Special Service Medal-Antarctica in the near future. I hope that you see it in a similar fashion.
As with the Multi National Force and Observers Medal awarded to New Zealanders who have served in the Sinai since 1982, but only approved by NZ in 1992 I would hope that the US Antarctic Service Medal might also be approved for wear by eligible New Zealanders previously awarded it for their exchange duty in Antarctica (before ANZUS treaty breakup stopped such exchanges)

I hope this is not seen as “blowing my own horn”, but more to make you aware of a situation that may not have been presented in the past. As I mentioned above, with the 50-year anniversary fast approaching, I would think this would be a historically appropriate time to consider approving a medal for NZ Antarctic Service.

Thanks for your time

Yours sincerely,

Keith Cooper

[14liney]

Aug 10, 2008 9:01:19 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Welcome to the forum Penguin. I admire your views, New Zealand should indeed recognise officially the service of our people who risk their lives in the Antarctic, especially as the scientific work going on their affects all our futures.quote]

Is this medal medals.nzdf.mil.nz/category/b/b9.html for service in the Antarctic?

[kiwirotorwrench]

Is this medal medals.nzdf.mil.nz/category/b/b9.html for service in the Antarctic?[
No that is the "new" medal that replaced the former British Polar Medal. "the new medal will enjoy a precedence comparable to that of the Queen’s Service Medal." and is a State Order rather than a campaign/operational service type medal.
The Special Service Medal is "The medal will recognize service to New Zealand in very difficult, adverse, extreme, or hazardous circumstances. Such service often involves risk (whether physical, environmental, or psychological) similar to operational service, without fitting the criteria of operational service"
Kind of sounds about right for us folks that have deployed there or done exchange duty with VXE-6. It was certainly a lot more remote and extreme conditions than my service in Sinai which they eventually let me wear a gong for. No longer can we refer to the MFO Medal as the Claytons Medal and have to wear it pinned on the inside of your jacket lapel.
Just curios if others in the forum had seen the US Navy Antarctic Service Medal worn by NZ veterans. As I said to Mr Goff I can and do wear mine at the end of the row after my NZ gongs since I reside in the USA
Cheers
KC

[petermason29]

i was one of the first the first exchange crew from 3 sqn to to vxe6 SQN. i was with Frank Parker and Barry Payne. we were presented the the American medal by the commander of VXE6 SQN. I would have no hesitation wearing that medal on Anzac Day in my civvies. I have a thing about medals, as there are so many inconsistencies to the award of the medals. i accepted that medal with great pride. thank you US government.
PETE MASON
EX 3 SQN HCM

[Dave Homewood]

Welcome to the forum Peter. Do you have any stories or photos of antarctic ops or other RNZAF stuff you would like to share? Feel free.

[sniff]

Welcome to the forum, Pete!

Cheers,
Sniff

[furd]

Jul 12, 2008 10:51:21 GMT 12 kiwirotorwrench said:

Anyone notice in the May/June Air Force news page 12 "ANZAC Day Remembered" photo, that the two gentlemen closest to the camera appear to be wearing their US Antarctic Service Medal (US ASM).
www.airforce.mil.nz/downloads/pdf/airforce-news/afn92web.pdf
I was curious if this is a common occurrence in NZ. I know the NZ Antarctic Veterans Assoc antarctic.homestead.com/ has been campaigning to get the US ASM approved for wear in NZ with the RSA's help, but it seems to have stalled of late. Given that the Sinai medal (basically a US inspired medal) was retroactively approved 10 years after being first awarded, and given the status of a campaign medal, I can see where people that have done time in the Antarctic can feel a bit miffed about the lack of recognition for NZ's over 50 years of Defence support on the ICE.
Anyone else know if it is common for vets to mount the ASM at the end of the bar as a foreign medal?

Cheers
KC

No approval is required for the acceptance and wearing of the US Antarctic Medal by former NZ military. The medal is an official medal issued by the US Govt and awarded to NZ military personnel who took part in and supported Operation Deep Freeze. The NZ Honours unit amended the rules in August 2007 with respect to Commemoration, including War Commemoration Medals and that info can be sourced from the Honours unit website.

The wearing of such a medal however by uniformed serving members of the NZ military requires the approval of the CDF. This was not given and in fact the NZDF did not accept the awarding of the medal in first place. That was their call and has no bearing on the wearing of the medal by ex military personnel.

A question for forum members who have received the Antarctic medal, when the medal was awarded, did you also receive the official certificate with the medal.

[Tony]

I was one of the first RNZAF Firefighters to serve with the US Navy and USARP at Mactown and Willy Field - Summer Support 1980-81.

It was an honour to be selected and to represent the RNZAF. My medal was awarded by the CO of Mactown, a US Navy Captain whose name I forget.

I was able to source a replacement medal after my ribbon was damaged by water as well as a minature. A nice surprise was also receiving my certificate in the mail.
I'll check the wording of it tonight and get a pic for you.

I never wore my medal with my RNZAF uniform but I did with my volunteer rural fire uniform (I also had a ribbon bar with my RNZAF LS&GCM and Antarctic medal) and later my NZ Fire Service uniform.

[Tony]

Some links that may be of interest:





www.amervets.com/replacement/asm.htm
Good Q & A here

[kiwirotorwrench]

@ furd "A question for forum members who have received the Antarctic medal, when the medal was awarded, did you also receive the official certificate with the medal."

Just dug out my bag of certificates and the one for the ASM is from Dept of the Navy, US Naval Support Force, Antarctica, signed by Captain D.A Srite USN

KC

[furd]

In the late 60's no one that I have communicated with received the certificate. The medals were handed out in a very casual manner by the McMurdo Navy office. NZ Navy personnel also received the medal this way as well. Prior to 1 June 1973 there was no minimum time in support of Deep Freeze to qualify for entitlement to the medal. During my time down there we did not have NZ military ground support. We were handled by the US Navy with regard to loading and unloading of the aircraft, supervised by the loadmaster.


I left the air force in early 1970 and I believe NZ military ground handlers started operating on the ice from the 1973 season however I'm sure there are members on this forum that can confirm that. Post 1 June 1973, the qualifying time became 30 days or 15 sorties for aircrew. In 2008 the qualifying time was reduced to 10 days. I believe with the revised qualifying time the awarding of the medal was more formal and organised.

[Tony]

Here is a scan of my award.
I was Summer Support 1980-81.
Note the 1989 date of my certificate.
Arrived at home out of the blue. It was lovely to receive it though.
(Slightly off colour as it is in a glassed frame.