The Sierra Leone Independence Medal was authorised by Queen Elizabeth II

Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom

Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...

 on the occasion of the granting of independence to Sierra Leone to give recognition to individuals of the Royal Sierra Leone Military Forces, Sierra Leone Naval Volunteer Force and the Police Force who were serving on the 27 April 1961 and to members of the United Kingdom Land Forces were seconded to the Royal Sierra Leone Military Forces.

Description

• The circular cupro-nickel
  Cupronickel
  Cupronickel or copper-nickel or "cupernickel" is an alloy of copper that contains nickel and strengthening elements, such as iron and manganese. Cupronickel is highly resistant to corrosion in seawater, because its electrode potential is adjusted to be neutral with regard to seawater...
  
   Sierra Leone Independence Medal features the crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth II
  Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
  Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
  
  .
• The reverse of the medal depicts the Sierra Leone Coat of Arms surrounded by the inscription Sierra Leone Independence, 27 April 1961 in a half circle above.
• The ribbon has a three vertical stripes, green, white and blue, the colours of the Sierra Leons national flag.