7/1/2007© Copyright. All rights reserved. 17 th Gurkha Division

New Zealand Viet Nam Service Memorandum of Understanding Double Medalling Inequity Presented by Victor Johnson NZ Defence Force 1st Battalion RNZIR campaign veteran of: Malaya/Thai Border | Malay Peninsula | Borneo | South Viet Nam 5 June 2007

7/1/2007© Copyright. All rights reserved. Joint Working Group Report Following the Health Select Committee reporting back to Parliament, a Joint Working Group [JWG] was established in 2005, for the purpose of recommending to Government, for its consideration, a package of actions and procedures to address the health and well-being needs of Viet Nam Veterans and their families and to develop a historical record of New Zealander's service in Viet Nam. Following the Health Select Committee reporting back to Parliament, a Joint Working Group [JWG] was established in 2005, for the purpose of recommending to Government, for its consideration, a package of actions and procedures to address the health and well-being needs of Viet Nam Veterans and their families and to develop a historical record of New Zealander's service in Viet Nam. The group report was submitted to the New Zealand government in April 2006, in which Chapter 2.0 acknowledged the past and included the topic 2.2 Medallic Recognition The group report was submitted to the New Zealand government in April 2006, in which Chapter 2.0 acknowledged the past and included the topic 2.2 Medallic Recognition

7/1/2007© Copyright. All rights reserved. Presentation Purpose The purpose of this presentation is to present that: double medalling for a single campaign and, double medalling for a single campaign and, probability of a medallic inequality probability of a medallic inequality is occurring with implementation of the New Zealand Governments recent proposition to amend the award Regulation for the New Zealand General Service Medal [Warlike] 1992, as proposed in the Memorandum of Understanding signed on 6 December 2006.

7/1/2007© Copyright. All rights reserved. Distinct New Zealand Medal The JWG report stated that within the consultation process a wide range of views were heard on a distinctly New Zealand medal for service in Viet Nam. To some Viet Nam veterans a distinctly New Zealand medal for service in South Viet Nam was very important, to some it mattered less than other things, and some thought it mattered hardly at all. Those who thought a New Zealand medal important held their view with extraordinary passion. The JWG report recommended that: To some Viet Nam veterans a distinctly New Zealand medal for service in South Viet Nam was very important, to some it mattered less than other things, and some thought it mattered hardly at all. Those who thought a New Zealand medal important held their view with extraordinary passion. The JWG report recommended that: the case for a distinct national campaign medal for active service in the Viet Nam War be accepted in principle; and that the Honours Secretariat and the NZ Defence Force should now develop a suitable proposal, in consultation with veterans groups. the case for a distinct national campaign medal for active service in the Viet Nam War be accepted in principle; and that the Honours Secretariat and the NZ Defence Force should now develop a suitable proposal, in consultation with veterans groups.

7/1/2007© Copyright. All rights reserved. Medallic Recognition Submissions Given that there were 287 identified Viet Nam veterans who made submissions to the Joint Working Group, analysis of records show that medallic recognition came from 18%, being about 52 persons of the total 3256 who served in South Vietnam. The percentage being %, about one half of a percent of all who served Given that there were 287 identified Viet Nam veterans who made submissions to the Joint Working Group, analysis of records show that medallic recognition came from 18%, being about 52 persons of the total 3256 who served in South Vietnam. The percentage being %, about one half of a percent of all who served With approximately 600 deceased the percentage of the surviving veterans wanting a distinct New Zealand medal for Viet Nam service equates to less than % With approximately 600 deceased the percentage of the surviving veterans wanting a distinct New Zealand medal for Viet Nam service equates to less than %

7/1/2007© Copyright. All rights reserved. Current NZ Vietnam Medal The Vietnam Medal was instituted in 1968, as a distinct medal for award to New Zealanders who served in the Vietnam War. The New Zealand and Australia governments jointly developed and instituted the Vietnam Medal, with a separate Royal Warrant for each country. Figure 1 shows the Vietnam Medal.

7/1/2007© Copyright. All rights reserved. Current Distinct New Zealand Campaign Medal A current distinctly New Zealand medal for military campaign service is New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 (Warlike) [NZGSM]. A current distinctly New Zealand medal for military campaign service is New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 (Warlike) [NZGSM]. The NZGSM (Warlike) medal was instituted in 1992, and issued in silver to recognise service in warlike operations for which no separate New Zealand or British Commonwealth campaign medal was issued. Figure 2 shows the New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 (Warlike) The NZGSM (Warlike) medal was instituted in 1992, and issued in silver to recognise service in warlike operations for which no separate New Zealand or British Commonwealth campaign medal was issued. Figure 2 shows the New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 (Warlike)

7/1/2007© Copyright. All rights reserved. NZGSM 1992 [Warlike] Clasps NEAR EAST NEAR EAST MALAYA MALAYA VIETNAM VIETNAM KUWAIT KUWAIT By the time the NZGSM 1992 [Warlike) was replaced in 2002, four clasps had been issued for warlike operations between 1956 and The clasps are:

7/1/2007© Copyright. All rights reserved. NZGSM 1992 [Warlike] Eligibility Exclusion Clause As a generic medal, the NZGSM 1992 [Warlike] was awarded under Royal Warrant for service in South Viet Nam with an exclusion clause for eligibility. The exclusion clause states that a person shall not receive the award if his or her qualifying service was completed wholly between 1 December 1962 and 27 January 1973 and was recognised by the award of the Vietnam Medal. The exclusion clause states that a person shall not receive the award if his or her qualifying service was completed wholly between 1 December 1962 and 27 January 1973 and was recognised by the award of the Vietnam Medal.

7/1/2007© Copyright. All rights reserved. Current Viet Nam Medals The current medallic recognition awarded to New Zealand military service personnel, with appropriate qualifying service in South Viet Nam, include the: New Zealand Operational Service MedalNew Zealand Operational Service Medal Vietnam MedalVietnam Medal Republic of South Vietnam Campaign MedalRepublic of South Vietnam Campaign Medal Figure 3 shows the current medals for service in Viet Nam

7/1/2007© Copyright. All rights reserved. Medallic Awards for Service in Malaysia During the 1960s, the New Zealand Defence Force had personnel with previous service in campaigns such as the: During the 1960s, the New Zealand Defence Force had personnel with previous service in campaigns such as the: Korea War Korea War Malayan Emergency Malayan Emergency Malaya and Thailand Border operations, against communist guerillas Malaya and Thailand Border operations, against communist guerillas Malay Peninsula, against Indonesian regular military forces Malay Peninsula, against Indonesian regular military forces Borneo, against Indonesian regular military forces Borneo, against Indonesian regular military forces

7/1/2007© Copyright. All rights reserved. Malaya/Viet Nam Veteran At least 10 percent or more personnel that served in Viet Nam were subsequently awarded the New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 [Warlike] with the clasp MALAYA for active service on the Malay/Thailand border. For example, the infantry battalion that served in Malaysia from 1963 to 1965 had 981 personnel. Approximately 300 of those personnel also served later in Viet Nam.

7/1/2007© Copyright. All rights reserved. Malaya/Vietnam Medals New Zealand Defence personnel who served in Malaysia from 1961 to 1965, followed by service in South Vietnam could have been awarded medals that include: The New Zealand Operational Service MedalThe New Zealand Operational Service Medal The New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 [Warlike] with clasp MALAYA The New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 [Warlike] with clasp MALAYA The General Service Medal with clasps MALAY PENINSULA – BORNEO,The General Service Medal with clasps MALAY PENINSULA – BORNEO, The Vietnam Campaign MedalThe Vietnam Campaign Medal Pingat Jasa Malaysia MedalPingat Jasa Malaysia Medal The Republic of South Vietnam Campaign MedalThe Republic of South Vietnam Campaign Medal Figure 4 shows the medals group for service in Malaya and Viet Nam

7/1/2007© Copyright. All rights reserved. Memorandum of Understanding As a consequence to the JWG report, group representatives from two military veteran organisations negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding [MoU] with Government, which is not legally binding on any of the parties. Sub-clause 5.2 addresses the subject of further medallic recognition for service in South Vietnam. The clause reads: The Crown will sympathetically consider medallic recognition for Viet Nam veterans based on the submission received from the RSA to extend eligibility of the New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 (Warlike) with clasp Vietnam to those Viet Nam Veterans who are currently eligible for the Vietnam Medal Figure 5 shows the NZGSM 1992 [Warlike]

7/1/2007© Copyright. All rights reserved. Cabinet Papers on Medals Within the Cabinet papers received following a request under the Official Information Act, the subject of double medalling probability is addressed. Within the Cabinet papers received following a request under the Official Information Act, the subject of double medalling probability is addressed. Reference was made to the fact that the Royal Warrant for the Vietnam Medal states: WHEREAS We have given consideration to the need for recognition of the service of members of the New Zealand Armed Forces and by duly accredited members of approved philanthropic organisations serving with these forces in assisting the forces of the Republic of Vietnam to repel aggression;.. Reference was made to the fact that the Royal Warrant for the Vietnam Medal states: WHEREAS We have given consideration to the need for recognition of the service of members of the New Zealand Armed Forces and by duly accredited members of approved philanthropic organisations serving with these forces in assisting the forces of the Republic of Vietnam to repel aggression;.. The above is deemed as the authority for the distinctly New Zealand medal for service in South Vietnam, being the Vietnam Medal. The above is deemed as the authority for the distinctly New Zealand medal for service in South Vietnam, being the Vietnam Medal.

7/1/2007© Copyright. All rights reserved. NZGSM 1992 [Warlike] The subject of double medalling and inequity arises in relation to the New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 [Warlike] being recommended within the Memorandum of Understanding as a new award for service in Vietnam. The subject of double medalling and inequity arises in relation to the New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 [Warlike] being recommended within the Memorandum of Understanding as a new award for service in Vietnam. Many Campaign Medals are awarded for service in very wide geographical areas. Service in a specific operation within the wider campaign area is often recognised by the award of a clasp engraved with the name of the specific area or activity. Many Campaign Medals are awarded for service in very wide geographical areas. Service in a specific operation within the wider campaign area is often recognised by the award of a clasp engraved with the name of the specific area or activity. An example is the New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 (Warlike) with four clasps; Near East Malaya Vietnam Kuwait. An example is the New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 (Warlike) with four clasps; Near East Malaya Vietnam Kuwait.New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 (Warlike) four clasps Near East Malaya Vietnam KuwaitNew Zealand General Service Medal 1992 (Warlike) four clasps Near East Malaya Vietnam Kuwait

7/1/2007© Copyright. All rights reserved. Double Medalling Inequity A factor of double medalling is the inequity for many who have served in campaigns where no distinct New Zealand medallic recognition has been awarded. A factor of double medalling is the inequity for many who have served in campaigns where no distinct New Zealand medallic recognition has been awarded. The campaigns include the: Korea WarKorea War Malayan Emergency campaignMalayan Emergency campaign Malay Peninsula campaignMalay Peninsula campaign Borneo campaignBorneo campaign

7/1/2007© Copyright. All rights reserved. Another Distinct Award In creating a distinct New Zealand medallic award for the Vietnam campaign it is most likely that another distinct New Zealand medallic award for Vietnam will be seen as inequitable by veterans of the following campaigns. Korea War Korea War Malayan Emergency campaign Malayan Emergency campaign Malay Peninsula campaign Malay Peninsula campaign Borneo campaign Borneo campaign Those who served in the above campaigns were awarded medals of British, Commonwealth, or United Nation origin. At the time, the medals were considered adequate recognition for service in each of the campaigns for which no distinct New Zealand medal has ever been awarded.

7/1/2007© Copyright. All rights reserved. Update on Distinct NZ Medal Update on MoU Implementation as at 29 June 2007, item 4, reference Section 5.2] NZ-specific Viet Nam Campaign Medal Current Situation: Cabinet approval given Comment: Royal assent being sought

7/1/2007© Copyright. All rights reserved. Questions?