Unit Citation for Gallantry
Encyclopedia
The Unit Citation for Gallantry is a collective group decoration awarded to members of Australian military units. It recognises extraordinary gallantry in action. The Unit Citation for Gallantry was created in 1991, along with the Meritorious Unit Citation
. The actual citation is a warrant presented to the unit. Insignia are worn by individuals to denote their membership of a unit that has been awarded a citation. Personnel cannot be issued with the insignia until the authorised unit representative, normally the Commanding Officer, has been formally invested with the citation.
Meritorious Unit Citation
The Meritorious Unit Citation is a collective group decoration awarded to members of Australian military units. It recognises sustained outstanding service in warlike operations...
. The actual citation is a warrant presented to the unit. Insignia are worn by individuals to denote their membership of a unit that has been awarded a citation. Personnel cannot be issued with the insignia until the authorised unit representative, normally the Commanding Officer, has been formally invested with the citation.
Recipients
As of May 2010, three awards have been made:- The Australian Army No.1 Special Air Service SquadronAustralian Special Air Service RegimentThe Special Air Service Regiment, officially abbreviated SASR but commonly known as the SAS, is a special forces unit of the Australian Army...
.- Awarded 27 November 2004
- Citation states: For extraordinary gallantry in action involving the development and execution of bold, innovative plans in support of complex, high risk operations in Operation FalconerAustralian contribution to the 2003 invasion of IraqThe Howard Government supported the disarmament of Iraq during the Iraq disarmament crisis. Australia later provided one of the four most substantial combat force contingents during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, under the operational codename Operation Falconer. Part of its contingent were among the...
in Iraq in 2003.
- The 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (Commando).
- Awarded 26 October 2007
- Citation states: For acts of extraordinary gallantry in action in Afghanistan, from 25 August 2005 to 2 September 2006, in support of security and stabilisation operations in Afghanistan and the International Coalition against Terrorism. During the course of the operation, the Task Group fought a series of precarious battles and skirmishes against a resourceful enemy. The Task Group was also able to successfully neutralise the enemy on a number occasions in previously impenetrable sanctuary areas. With clear, strategic combat duties, the Task Group quickly stamped their authority in the combat region despite being in the heartland of the Taliban and Anti Coalition Militia. During the 374 day deployment, the combat element spent 309 days in the field undertaking over 100 missions resulting in 139 combat engagements with the enemy ranging from small skirmishes to full scale battles.
- The Delta Company, 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is a motorised infantry battalion of the Australian Army. It was originally raised in Brisbane, Queensland, on 6 June 1965 and has since then served in a number of overseas deployments and conflicts including South Vietnam, East Timor and Iraq...
.- Awarded 31 March 2010
- Citation states: For acts of extraordinary gallantry in action at the Battle of Long TanBattle of Long TanThe Battle of Long Tân was fought between the Australian Army and Viet Cong forces in a rubber plantation near the village of Long Tân, about north east of Vũng Tàu, South Vietnam...
in Vietnam on 18 August 1966.
Description
- The insignia of a Unit Citation for Gallantry is a gilt sterling-silver rectangular frame (32mm x 15mm) with a design of flames emanating from the edge to the centre. The frame surrounds a ribbon bar of deep green, which may display a gilt sterling-silver Federation StarCommonwealth StarThe Commonwealth Star is a seven-pointed star symbolising the Federation of Australia which came into force on 1 January 1901....
(7mm diameter) at its centre. - Members attached to the unit when the citation is awarded wear it with the Federation Star, and continue to wear this after leaving the unit. Members who subsequently join the unit wear the citation without the Federation Star, and discontinue wearing it after leaving the unit.