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Distinguished Service Medal (Australia)
Encyclopedia
The Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) is a military decoration
awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force
for distinguished leadership in action. The DSM was introduced in 1991 and is the second highest distinguished service decoration in the Australian Honours System
. Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "DSM". Since its inception 105 have been awarded, which includes one Bar
.
may grant an allowance to veterans or serving members of the Australian Defence Force
who have been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, or other awards for gallantry. At November 2007, this allowance was A$
2.10 per fortnight.
Military decoration
A military decoration is a decoration given to military personnel or units for heroism in battle or distinguished service. They are designed to be worn on military uniform....
awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force
Australian Defence Force
The Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units...
for distinguished leadership in action. The DSM was introduced in 1991 and is the second highest distinguished service decoration in the Australian Honours System
Australian Honours System
-History:The Commonwealth of Australia, until 1975, used the Imperial or British honours system. Only a handful of peerages were created for Australians, some in recognition of public services rendered in Britain rather than Australia. Some hereditary peers and baronets whose titles derive from...
. Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "DSM". Since its inception 105 have been awarded, which includes one Bar
Medal bar
A medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the...
.
Government allowance
The Government of AustraliaGovernment of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is a federal constitutional monarchy under a parliamentary democracy. The Commonwealth of Australia was formed in 1901 as a result of an agreement among six self-governing British colonies, which became the six states...
may grant an allowance to veterans or serving members of the Australian Defence Force
Australian Defence Force
The Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units...
who have been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, or other awards for gallantry. At November 2007, this allowance was A$
Australian dollar
The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
2.10 per fortnight.
Description
- The Distinguished Service Medal is ensigned with the Crown of St EdwardSt. Edward's CrownSt Edward's Crown was one of the English Crown Jewels and remains one of the senior British Crown Jewels, being the official coronation crown used in the coronation of first English, then British, and finally Commonwealth realms monarchs...
in nickel-silver. The obverse has a Federation starCommonwealth StarThe Commonwealth Star is a seven-pointed star symbolising the Federation of Australia which came into force on 1 January 1901....
superimposed on a circle of flames. - The medal has a nickel-silver suspender bar.
- The medal ribbon has alternating vertical stripes: four silver-blue and three ochre-red.
See also
- Distinguished Service Cross (Australia)Distinguished Service Cross (Australia)The Distinguished Service Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force. It is awarded for distinguished command and leadership in action. The DSC was introduced in 1991 and is the highest distinguished service decoration in the Australian Honours System...
- Distinguished Service Medal
- Distinguished Service OrderDistinguished Service OrderThe Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
(United Kingdom) - Distinguished Service Medal (United Kingdom)Distinguished Service Medal (United Kingdom)The Distinguished Service Medal was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Royal Navy and members of the other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, up to and including the rank of Chief Petty Officer, for bravery and resourcefulness on active service...
- Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)The Distinguished Service Cross is the third level military decoration awarded to officers, and other ranks, of the British Armed Forces, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and British Merchant Navy and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries.The DSC, which may be awarded posthumously, is...
- Australian Honours Order of PrecedenceAustralian Honours Order of Precedence- Order of wear :Order of precedence for the wearing of decorations and awards within the Australian Honours System.Articles marked with * are awards of the British Empire/United Kingdom and are now considered foreign....