Medal for Gallantry

The Medal for Gallantry (MG) is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force. It recognises acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances. The MG was introduced on 15 January 1991, replacing the Imperial equivalent. It is ranked third in the Gallantry Decorations in the Australian Honours System.[3][4] Recipients of the Medal of Gallantry are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "MG".

Medal for Gallantry


Obverse of medal and ribbon
TypeMedal
Awarded for"acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances"[1]
Presented byAustralia
EligibilityMembers of the Australian Defence Force
Post-nominalsMG
StatusCurrently awarded
Established15 January 1991
First awarded1996
Last awarded2 November 2016[2]
Total~63
Order of Wear[3]
Next (higher)Nursing Service Cross[3]
Next (lower)Bravery Medal[3]
RelatedStar of Gallantry

Description
  • The Medal for Gallantry is circular and is made of gold-plated silver. It is ensigned with the Crown of Saint Edward. The obverse bears a Federation Star, which is superimposed on a circle of flames. This image represents action under fire.
  • The reverse shows a horizontal panel superimposed on a design of fluted rays.
  • The Medal for Gallantry is suspended from a 32 millimetre-wide ribbon by a narrow gold-plated silver suspender bar. The ribbon has a design of chevrons of light orange alternating with chevrons of deep orange angled at 60 degrees. The chevron pattern is placed as a stylised "A" with the points facing upwards.

Decoration allowance

Veterans who are paid disability pension under the Veterans Entitlements Act 1986 (the Act), and who have been awarded a gallantry award specified in the Act, including the Medal for Gallantry, are also paid a decoration allowance. In May 2011, the allowance was A$2.10 per fortnight.[5]

Notable recipients
  • Signalman Martin "Jock" Wallace MG, formerly of the 152 Signal Squadron and the Special Air Service Regiment. Awarded 27 November 2002 for actions in Afghanistan on 2 March 2002.[6]
  • Sergeant "C" (Matthew Locke MG of the Special Air Service Regiment) was subsequently Killed In Action in 2007.[7]
  • Lance Corporal "E" is now known as Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith VC MG of the Special Air Service Regiment. He was awarded the MG for actions in the period May–September 2006 in Afghanistan,[8] and subsequently the VC.[9]
  • Corporal "B", (later identified as Sergeant Brett Wood MG), of the 2nd Commando Regiment was subsequently Killed In Action on 23 May 2011.[10]

List of recipients
#NameDate awardedCitationNotes
SGT Frank Alcorta2 November 2016For acts of gallantry in hazardous circumstances as platoon sergeant of 2 Platoon, A Company, the 6th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, during the Battle of Long Tan, Phuoc Tuy Province, Vietnam on 18 August 1966. [2]
05CAPT Thomas Henry Arrowsmith3 June 1998(Vietnam[11]) [12]
CPL Ryan James Avery11 June 2012For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances on 4 December 2010 while a sniper team member in Mentoring Task Force - Two on Operation SLIPPER in Afghanistan.
CPL B (Brett Wood)13 June 2011For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances on Operation SLIPPER in Afghanistan in 2008 (sic - the actions were in 2006). [10]
CPL B (2013)26 January 2013For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances. [13]
CPL Cameron Stewart Baird26 January 2009For his conduct during a close quarters combat in Afghanistan during Operation SLIPPER in November 2007 [14]
042LT Graeme Eric Bolitho3 June 1998(Vietnam[11]) [15]
06CAPT James Raymond Bourke3 June 1998(Vietnam[11]) [16]
17CPL John Douglas Campbell Burridge1 December 1999(Vietnam[11][17][18][19]) [20]
18CPL Trevor William Byng1 December 1999(Vietnam[11][17]) [21]
LCPL C2 December 2006For gallantry as a Patrol Medic during the treatment and evacuation of a wounded Australian soldier in the Special Forces Task Group, whilst deployed on Operation SLIPPER, Afghanistan in 2006. [22]
25SGT C (Matthew Locke)2 December 2006For gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances as the second-in-command of a Special Air Service Regiment patrol in the Special Forces Task Group whilst deployed on Operation Slipper, Afghanistan, in 2006. [7][22]
SGT C (2013)10 June 2013For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances as a team commander, Special Operations Task Group on Operation SLIPPER in Afghanistan. [23]
C (2015)8 June 2015For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances on Operation SLIPPER, in Afghanistan in 2012.
MAJ Daniel Sebastian Cash26 January 2008For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances during operations against Taliban and Anti Coalition Militia while deployed on Operation SLIPPER in Afghanistan, from June to October 2006. [24]
19SGT Frank Carr Cashmore1 December 1999(Vietnam[11][17]) [25]
20Private Kevin George Casson1 December 1999(Vietnam[11][17]) [26]
Michael Patrick Chalk26 January 2014For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances while an Engineer Search Commander in the Tangi Valley, Afghanistan, on 10 March 2012.
LCPL Brendan Michael Clarke13 June 2011For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances while a rifleman with Team Three, Mentoring Team C, Mentoring Task Force 1, in the Central Baluchi Valley, Afghanistan on 15 March and 8 July 2010.
21SGT Brian John Collett1 December 1999(Vietnam[11][17]) [27]
Private David William Cox26 January 2010For gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances while a rifleman and combat first aider in Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force 1 at Kakarak, Afghanistan on 16 March 2009.
SGT D26 January 2012For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances. [28]
SGT Blaine Flower Diddams10 June 2013For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances as a patrol commander, Special Operations Task Group Rotation XVII on Operation SLIPPER in Afghanistan on 2 July 2012. [23]
WO2 Kevin Bede Dolan13 June 2011For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances while a joint terminal attack controller for Mentoring Team A, Mentoring Task Force 1, at Sorkh Lez in the Mirabad Valley, Afghanistan on 2 July 2010.
26LCPL E (Ben Roberts-Smith)2 December 2006For gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances as a patrol sniper in the Special Operations Task Group – Task Force 637, whilst deployed on Operation SLIPPER Rotation Three Afghanistan, May – September 2006. [8][22]
27Trooper F2 December 2006For gallantry in action in extremely hazardous conditions, as a patrol member in the Special Forces Task Group whilst deployed on Operation SLIPPER, Afghanistan in 2006. [22][29]
07CAPT Paul Ellis Green3 June 1998(Vietnam[11]) [30]
22Trooper Daniel John Handley1 December 1999(Vietnam[11][17]) [31]
08MAJ John Boyd Healy3 June 1998(Vietnam[11]) [32]
09LT William Francis Hindson3 June 1998(Vietnam[11]) [33]
CPL Jeremy Thomas Holder26 January 2008For an act of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances as a Medical Assistant within the Special Operations Task Group - Task Force 637, while deployed on Operation. [24]
CPL Justin Wayne Huggett8 June 2009For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances while deployed in Afghanistan with the 1st Battalion, The Grenadier Guards Battle Group during Exercise LONG LOOK 2007.
CPL J26 January 2013For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances on Operation SLIPPER in Afghanistan, June 2010. [13]
J26 January 2014For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances as an explosive ordnance disposal technician with the Special Operations Task Group on Operation SLIPPER.
Private K26 January 2012For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances. [28]
2LT Geoff Kendall18 August 2008For actions during the Vietnam War. [34]
Private Paul Bjorn Langer26 January 2012For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances on 24 August 2010 while a rifleman with Mentoring Team Delta, the 1st Mentoring Task Force at Derapet, Tangi Valley, Afghanistan. [28]
SGT Sean Anthony Lanigan26 January 2012For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances on 24 August 2010 while a platoon sergeant and mentor with Mentoring Team Delta, the 1st Mentoring Task Force at Derapet, Tangi Valley, Afghanistan. [28]
WO2 John Matthew (Matt) Lines26 January 2010For gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances while acting as an Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team member at Kakarak, Afghanistan on 4 January 2009.
M26 January 2015For acts of gallantry in hazardous circumstances on Operation SLIPPER.
LCPL Barry Eugene Magnussen2 November 2016For acts of gallantry in hazardous circumstances as member of 4 Section, 11 Platoon, D Company, 6th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, during the Battle of Long Tan, Phuoc Tuy Province, Vietnam on 18 August 1966. [2]
10MAJ William McDonald3 June 1998(Vietnam[11]) [35]
11MAJ Ian David McFarlane3 June 1998(Vietnam[11]) [36]
01CPL Andrew Colin Miller25 November 1996Awarded for actions in 1995 whilst serving with UNAMIR in Rwanda. [37]
CPL N 26 January 2013For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances. [13]
23SGT Steven Oddy25 March 2000For gallantry on 16 October 1999 while leading a patrol in the vicinity of Aidabasalaia, East Timor, during Operation WARDEN. [38]
12CAPT Christopher John Gilbert Peacock3 June 1998(Vietnam[11]) [39]
LT Francis Adrian Roberts2 November 2016For acts of gallantry in hazardous circumstances as Commander 3 Troop, 1 Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron, during the Battle of Long Tan, Phuoc Tuy Province, Vietnam on 18 August 1966. [2]
Bombadier David Steven Robertson11 June 2012For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances on 20 March 2011 while a joint fires observer in Mentoring Task Force - Two on Operation SLIPPER in Afghanistan.
Trooper S26 January 2009For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances in Afghanistan as part of the Special Operations Task Group during Operation SLIPPER, Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan.
2LT David R Sabben18 August 2008For actions during the Vietnam War. [40]
02WO2 Rodrick Malcolm Scott25 November 1996Awarded for actions in 1995 whilst serving with UNAMIR in Rwanda. [37]
13CAPT Peter Andrew Sibree3 June 1998(Vietnam[11]) [41]
Petty Officer Benjamin James Sime26 January 2009For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances during a waterborne terrorist attack in the North Persian Gulf, Iraq, during Operation CATALYST.
14CAPT Bevan John Smith3 June 1998(Vietnam[11]) [42]
152LT Brian John Sullivan3 June 1998(Vietnam[11]) [43]
Private T 11 June 2012For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances while deployed on Operation SLIPPER.
CPL Giancarlos Brasil Taraborrelli26 January 2010For gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances while an Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team member at Kakarak, Afghanistan on 16 March 2009.
03LT Thomas Steven Tilbrook25 November 1996Awarded for actions in 1995 whilst serving with UNAMIR in Rwanda. [37]
04MAJ Carol Louise Vaughan-Evans25 November 1996For distinguished service, particularly in response to the massacre of civilian refugees at Kibeho on 22 April 1995 whilst serving with UNAMIR II in Rwanda. [37]
24Signalman Martin 'Jock' Wallace27 November 2002Wallace was awarded the Medal for Gallantry for his efforts on 2 March 2002, during Operation Anaconda, while attached to the United States 10th Mountain Division in the Shahi Kot Valley, Afghanistan. [6]
162LT Clive Owen Gestern Williams3 June 1998(Vietnam[11]) [44]
Trooper X18 May 2003For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances in Iraq while on Operation FALCONER. [45]

Number awarded

In March 2018, only 55 of the recipients were listed on the "It's an Honour" website. A further 8 recipients have been identified from official publications of the Governor General, the Department of Defence and from special issues of the Australian Government Gazette.

Many of the awards have been presented at the official Australia Day ceremonies - held on 26 January - and Queen's Birthday ceremonies - held on the 2nd Monday in June.

Honours ListsSpecial ListsOther SourcesIt's an Honour
YearAustralia
Day		Queen's
Birthday		Other datesADQBOtherTotal
2018 -[46] 0
2017 -[47] -[48] -- 0
2016 -[49] -[50] 32 Nov 2016[2] 33
2015 1[51] 1[52] -- 112
2014 2[53] -[54] -- 22
2013 3[13] 2[23] -- 325
2012 4[28] 3[55] -- 437
2011 -[56] 3[57] -- 33
2010 3[58] -[59] -- 33
2009 2[60] 1[61] -- 1[14] 213
2008 2[62] -[63] 218 Aug 2008[64] 224
2006--32 Dec 2006[22] 0
2003--118 May 2003[45] 0
2002--127 Nov 2002[6] 0
2000--125 March 2000[38] 11
1999--61 Dec 1999[17] 66
1998--133 Jun 1998 [11] 1313
1996--325 Nov 1996[37]1[37] 33
Totals171033Sub-Total60262 17102855

See also

References
  1. "Medal for Gallantry". It's an Honour. Government of Australia. 13 April 2007. Retrieved 12 September 2007.
  2. Gallantry awards for actions during the Vietnam War, 2 November 2016, Governor General's website
  3. "The Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards" (PDF). Government House. 25 September 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 February 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  4. The highest ranked military gallantry decoration is the Victoria Cross/Victoria Cross for Australia.
    The second ranked military gallantry decoration is the Star of Gallantry.
    (Refer to "The Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards" (PDF). Government House. 25 September 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 February 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2014.)
  5. "Veteran's Entitlements Act 1986 - Sect 102". Commonwealth Consolidated Acts. Australasian Legal Information Institute (AustLII). Retrieved 17 November 2007.
  6. Lee, Sandra (2006). 18 Hours: The true story of an SAS War Hero. Sydney: Harper Collins. ISBN 0-7322-8230-6.
  7. Vale SGT Locke Archived 24 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine, defence.gov.au
  8. Benjamin Roberts-Smith, defence.gov.au
  9. Cowan, Sean; Taylor, Nick (22 January 2011). "WA digger awarded VC medal". The West Australian. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
  10. "How Sgt Brett Wood earned a Medal for Gallantry in Afghanistan". The Herald Sun. 24 May 2011.
    Vale SGT Wood Archived 29 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine, defence.gov.au
    To be awarded the medal for gallantry, defence.gov.au
  11. The Vietnam End of War List. Australian Awards to Service Personnel Announced 3 June 1998 and Subsequently. vvaa.org.au
  12. CAPT Thomas Henry Arrowsmith, Certificate, vietnamroll.gov.au; National Medal, 10 Feb 1978, itsanhonour.gov.au; Mentioned in Despatches, 19 September 1969, awm.gov.au
  13. Medal for Gallantry - Australia Day 2013, Media Notes, Governor General's website
  14. CPL Cameron Baird VC MG, www.army.gov.au
  15. 2LT Graeme Eric Bolitho, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au
  16. CAPT James Raymond Bourke, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au; National Medal, 9 May 1979;
    AM (Member of the Order of Australia) For service to veterans and their families through the establishment and implementation of 'Operation Aussies Home'. 26 January 2009
  17. Awards vide Special Gazette No S565 dated Wednesday 1 Dec 1999 (as a result of the Independent Review of the End of War List) - see The Vietnam End of War List, vvaa.org.au, for a list of the 6 awardees.
  18. Report of the Independent Review Panel of the End of War List - Vietnam, 25 August 1999, defence.gov.au Archived 1 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  19. Defence Honours and Awards Policy Review, 7 February 2008, defence.gov.au Archived 8 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  20. CPL John Douglas Campbell Burridge, Certificate, Mentioned in Despatches, www.vietnamroll.gov.au
  21. CPL Trevor William Byng, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au
  22. Soldiers' gallantry honoured, Defence Media Release MECC 337/06, 2 December 2006.
  23. Medal for Gallantry - Queen's Birthday 2013, Media Notes, Governor General's website
  24. Mark Davis (2008) Gallantry of the highest order, Sydney Morning Herald, 26 January 2008
  25. Sgt Cashmore, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au; National Medal, 15 May 1978
  26. Private Casson, Certificate and Mentioned in Despatches, www.vietnamroll.gov.au
  27. Sgt Collett, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au
  28. Medal for Gallantry - Australia Day 2012, Media Notes, Governor General's website
  29. Special Operations Commander, Major General Tim McOwan (11 December 2008). "Update on Special Operations in Afghanistan (MECC 81211/08)" (Press release). Department of Defence. Archived from the original on 8 September 2013.
  30. Capt Green, Certificate and Mentioned in Despatches, www.vietnamroll.gov.au; National Medal, 15 May 1981
  31. Trooper Handley, Certificate and mentioned in Despatches, www.vietnamroll.gov.au
  32. Maj Healy, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au; National Medal, 14 July 1977; National Medal - 1st clasp, 15 May 1979
  33. Lt Hindson, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au;
    MC (Military Cross), Special Air Service - Vietnam - 10 December 1968;
    National Medal, 21 September 1977;
    Centenary Medal, "For many years voluntary service to veterans' associations and the Army" - 1 January 2001
  34. 2LT Kendall, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au; National Medal, 19 March 1979
  35. Maj McDonald, Certificate and Mentioned in Despatches, www.vietnamroll.gov.au; National Medal, 14 July 1977; National Medal - 1st clasp, 23 October 1981
  36. Maj McFarlane, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au; National Medal, 14 July 1977; National Medal - 1st clasp, 15 May 1979
  37. "December 1996 : Gallant diggers". Army : The Soldiers' Newspaper (1225). armynews.realviewdigital.com. 12 November 2009. p. 40.
  38. Lague, David (25 March 2000). "Gallantry Award For Sergeant Who Led Bloody Timor Battle". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney: Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 8 July 2009.
  39. Capt Peacock, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au; National Medal, 18 June 1980
  40. 2Lt Sabben, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au
  41. Capt Sibree, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au; National Medal, 15 May 1978;
    AM (Member of the Order of Australia), "For service to the RAA as Commandant of the Infantry Centre Commander Singleton Military Area". 11 June 1990
  42. Capt Smith, Certificate and Mentioned in Despatches, www.vietnamroll.gov.au
  43. 2LT Sullivan, Certificate and Mentioned in Despatches, www.vietnamroll.gov.au;
    MC (Military Cross), Armoured Regiment - Vietnam - 22 May 1970;
    National Medal, 11 March 1981
  44. 2LT Williams, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au; National Medal, 9 May 1979
  45. "Australian SAS Trooper Awarded Medal for Gallantry (118/03)" (Press release). Department of Defence. 18 May 2003. Archived from the original on 2 January 2004.
  46. Honours List - Australia Day 2018, Governor General's website
  47. Honours List - Australia Day 2017, Governor General's website
  48. Honours List - Queens's Birthday 2017, Governor General's website
  49. Honours List - Australia Day 2016 Archived 28 January 2016 at the Wayback Machine, Governor General's website
  50. Honours List - Queens's Birthday 2016, Governor General's website
  51. Medal for Gallantry - Australia Day 2015, Media Notes, Governor General's website
  52. Medal for Gallantry - Queen's Birthday 2015, Media Notes, Governor General's website
  53. Medal for Gallantry - Australia Day 2014 Archived 27 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine, Media Notes, Governor General's website
  54. Honours List - Queens's Birthday 2014, Governor General's website
  55. Medal for Gallantry - Queen's Birthday 2012, Media Notes, Governor General's website
  56. Honours Lists - Australia Day 2011 Archived 12 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine, Governor General's website
  57. Medal for Gallantry - Queen's Birthday 2011 Archived 27 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Media Notes, Governor General's website
  58. Medal for Gallantry - Australia Day 2010 Archived 27 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Media Notes, Governor General's website
  59. Honours List - Queen's Birthday 2010 Archived 12 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine, Governor General's website
  60. Medal for Gallantry - Australia Day 2009 Archived 27 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Media Notes, Governor General's website
  61. Medal for Gallantry - Queen's Birthday 2009 Archived 27 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Media Notes, Governor General's website
  62. Medal for Gallantry - Australia Day 2008, Media Notes, Governor General's website
  63. Honours List - Queen's Birthday 2008 Archived 12 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine, Governor General's website
  64. Gallantry awards for actions during the Vietnam War, Special Gazette No. S167, 18 August 2008, Commonwealth of Australia
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