photo: Government house

Two new service medals have been approved by the Queen, General Campaign Star (left) and the General Service Medal. Both medals will be issued with bars denoting the theatre of operations where they were earned.

Two new medals have been approved by the Queen for Canada’s military and civilians who serve in the face of an armed enemy.

Governor General Adrienne Clarkson announced in Ottawa July 7 that approval has been given to create a General Campaign Star and General Service Medal.

The General Campaign Star is awarded to members of the Canadian Forces and members of allied forces working with the Canadian Forces who are deployed into a defined theatre of operations to take part in operations in the presence of armed combatants. It will always be issued with a bar specifying the operations recognized and each bar has its own criteria. The intention is to recognize these operations in a timelier manner than creating a new honour for each operation.

The star is a gold-coloured four-point star representing the cardinal points of a compass. A wreath of maple leaves features the Royal Crown on top with two crossed swords, with the blades and hilts forming four more points on the star. There is also an anchor and a flying eagle. The wreath represents honour, the leaves represent Canada, the anchor, crossed swords and eagle represent the three services. On the reverse is the Queen’s cipher ER, a plain space for engraving and three maple leaves on one stem.

The ribbon has a central stripe of green, on either side are stripes of white and red. The green represents service while red and white are Canada’s official colours.

The General Service Medal recognizes direct support to operations in the presence of an armed enemy. It can be awarded to Canadian Forces members, allied forces and civilians. It, too, will be awarded with a bar.

The silver-coloured medal is circular bearing a contemporary crowned image of the Queen with the inscription Elizabeth II Dei Gratia Regina and Canada separated by small crosses representing military valour and merit. The reverse features the Royal Crown, crossed swords, anchor and eagle similar to the star.

The ribbon has a central stripe of red with white and green stipes on either side.

The General Campaign Star has been approved for fighter pilots and airborne warning and control system aircrew who flew at least five sorties during Operation Allied Force over Kosovo between March 24 and June 10, 1999. It is also approved for those who served in Afghanistan for at least 30 cumulative days between April 24 and the termination date to be determined. Aircrew flying into the theatre accumulate one day of service for the first sortie on any day.

The General Service Medal is approved for service for at least 30 days in direct support of Operation Allied Force in Aviano or Vicenza, Italy, between March 24 and June 10, 1999, and those who served in support of Canadian Forces in Afghanistan in Taranto, Italy, Istanbul, Turkey and Camp Mirage.

“As commander-in-chief of the Canadian Forces, I am delighted that the General Campaign Star and General Service Medal are being awarded to the men and women who serve Canada courageously and contribute to the international public good,” said Clarkson. “They act with determination in the exercise of their duties often performed in harm’s way, and, for that, they deserve our unqualified support and heartfelt recognition. Together with all Canadians I am proud of them.”