Operational Service Medal for Sierra Leone
Encyclopedia
The Operational Service Medal
for Sierra Leone is a campaign medal
awarded since 2000 by the Ministry of Defence
of the United Kingdom
.
Obverse shows the crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth.
Reverse bears the Union Flag, surrounded by the inscription ‘For Operational Service’ and the four major points of the compass, with four Coronets: Royal (top left), Naval (top right), Mural-Army (bottom left), and Astral-Royal Air Force (bottom right).
.
.
Awarded for either 14, 21, 30 or 45 days continuous or accumulated service required between certain specified dates on either Op Palliser
, Basilica or Silkman. Also awarded to those deployed on Op Maidenly or Op Barras
on specified dates ranging from 1999 to 2002
Operational Service Medal
The Operational Service Medal for the United Kingdom may refer to:* Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan,* Operational Service Medal for the Democratic Republic of Congo* Operational Service Medal for Sierra Leone...
for Sierra Leone is a campaign medal
British campaign medals
British campaign medals are awarded to members of the British Armed Forces, Allied forces and civilians participating in specified military campaigns...
awarded since 2000 by the Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)
The Ministry of Defence is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces....
of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
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Medal
The medal is silver and circular in shape.
Obverse shows the crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth.
Reverse bears the Union Flag, surrounded by the inscription ‘For Operational Service’ and the four major points of the compass, with four Coronets: Royal (top left), Naval (top right), Mural-Army (bottom left), and Astral-Royal Air Force (bottom right).
Clasp
No clasp is issued. A large 'South Atlantic' (Falkland War) type rosette is worn on the medal itself for operational service within Sierra Leone. A smaller rosette is worn on the ribbon.Ribbon
The ribbon consists of a broad central red stripe, flanked each side by a stripe of navy blue and one of light blue, to represent the three services, with an outer stripe of green to reflect the landscape of Sierra LeoneSierra Leone
Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
.
Qualifying criteria
Awarded for service on any of 5 operations in Sierra Leone or the Joint Operational Area which included Senegal, Gibraltar and offshore support ships such as the RFA ArgusRFA Argus (A135)
RFA Argus is a ship of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, part of the Royal Navy. Italian-built, Argus was formerly the container ship MV Contender Bezant. The ship was requisitioned in 1982 for service in the Falklands War and purchased outright in 1984 for use as an Aviation Training Ship, replacing RFA...
.
Awarded for either 14, 21, 30 or 45 days continuous or accumulated service required between certain specified dates on either Op Palliser
Operation Palliser
Operation Palliser was a British Armed forces operation in Sierra Leone in 2000 under the command of Brigadier David Richards.Initially, its scope was limited to evacuation of non-combatants only....
, Basilica or Silkman. Also awarded to those deployed on Op Maidenly or Op Barras
Operation Barras
Operation Barras was the name given to a hostage rescue operation by the British Special Air Service, Special Boat Service, and Parachute Regiment in Sierra Leone on 10 September 2000...
on specified dates ranging from 1999 to 2002
See also
- OSM AfghanistanOperational Service Medal for AfghanistanThe Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan is a campaign medal currently awarded by the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom.- Qualifying criteria :The award of this medal is complex; depending on length and area of service:...
- OSM Democratic Republic of CongoOperational Service Medal for the Democratic Republic of CongoThe Operational Service Medal for the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a 21st century British armed forces campaign medal, awarded mostly to military personnel serving with the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the associated European Union Force deployment since...