DATE OF ISSUE:  27 FEBRUARY 1998

AUSTRALIAN ACTIVE SERVICE MEDAL 1945-75 AND AUSTRALIAN SERVICE MEDAL 1945-75

The following information is given for general information and to assist staff who are approached by veterans seeking information on how to apply for medals.

In 1997 the Government announced the creation of a new award, the Australian Active Service Medal 1945-75 (AASM). Eligibility is limited to personnel who received, or have an entitlement to the Korea Medal for service in the Korean War 1950-53, a General Service Medal for service in either the Malayan Emergency 1948-60, the Indonesian confrontation 1962-66 (Brunei, Borneo or Malay Peninsula) and the Vietnam War. Eligibility is also extended to those who have received the Vietnam Medal or the Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal (VLSM).

In 1995 the Australian Service Medal 1945-75 (ASM) was introduced to cover Peacekeeping and other service. There are now 12 clasps to this medal:

•                               SW Pacific              1945-1948
•                               Japan — 1945-1952
•                               Indonesia              1947-1951
•                               Middle East              1948-1975
•                               Kashmir              1948-1975
•                               Berlin — 1948-1949
•                               Korea — 9-23 Jun 1950 &

1953-1957

•                               PNG — 1951-1975
•                               FESR — 1955-1971
•                               Thai-Malay              1960-1966
•                               Thailand              1962-1968
•                               West New Guinea — 1962-1963

In July 1996 the period of service for this award was changed to a standard 30 days.

Veterans who have previously applied for a medal and have been advised that the Government would not be issuing a further medal will need to reapply. Veterans who have not yet received a reply to their applications do not need to reapply. Applications need to be in writing, signed by the veteran or in the case of a deceased veteran their nearest next of kin. As a minimum, the application should include the following details:

Service number

Full name

Date of Birth

Place and dates of Service

Addresses of Medal Issuing Offices are:

ARMY Soldiers Career Management Agency GPO Box 5108 BB MELBOURNE Vic 3001 Toll Free Phone:1800 065 149	AIR FORCE Air Force Medals section Queanbeyan Annexe Department of Defence CANBERRA ACT 2600 Toll Free Phone: 1800 623 306
NAVY Navy Medals Office D-3-32A Russel Offices CANBERRA ACT 2600 Toll Free Phone:1800 808 073

(W.R. MAXWELL)

BRANCH HEAD (DISABILITY COMPENSATION)

23 February 1998