Campaign Medal

UN Emergency Force (UNEF)

Context

Through the efforts of Canada's External Affairs Minister, Lester B. Pearson, the UN General Assembly agreed to its first peacekeeping force to secure peace in the region (previous operations had been only observer forces). Under the command of a Canadian, MGen Eedson Louis Millard BURNS, (OC) DSO OBE MC, the UNEF, on 07 November 1956, was given a mandate to secure the removal of Israeli, British and French troops from the Suez canal zone and the Gaza Strip and to maintain peace in the area.

Operational Service Medal – EXPEDITION (OSM-EXP)

Context

This general service award has been created as a means to recognize in a timelier manner those who serve in or provide support to overseas operations and for which no other medals, such as United Nations or NATO medals, are available. Rather than creating a new honour for each new Canadian Forces operation as it arises, the Operational Service Medal - with its theatre or task specific ribbons - can be awarded in future to honour participation in any operation that meets the criteria.

Operational Service Medal – HUMANITAS (OSM-HUM)

Context

This general service award has been created as a means to recognize in a timelier manner those who serve in or provide support to overseas operations and for which no other medals, such as United Nations or NATO medals, are available. Rather than creating a new honour for each new Canadian Forces operation as it arises, the Operational Service Medal - with its theatre or task specific ribbons - can be awarded in future to honour participation in any operation that meets the criteria.

Operational Service Medal – Sudan (OSM-S)

Context

This general service award has been created as a means to recognize in a timelier manner those who serve in or provide support to overseas operations and for which no other medals, such as United Nations or NATO medals, are available. Rather than creating a new honour for each new Canadian Forces operation as it arises, the Operational Service Medal - with its theatre or task specific ribbons - can be awarded in future to honour participation in any operation that meets the criteria.

Operational Service Medal – Haiti (OSM-H)

Context

This general service award has been created as a means to recognize in a timelier manner those who serve in or provide support to overseas operations and for which no other medals, such as United Nations or NATO medals, are available. Rather than creating a new honour for each new Canadian Forces operation as it arises, the Operational Service Medal - with its theatre or task specific ribbons - can be awarded in future to honour participation in any operation that meets the criteria.

Operational Service Medal – Sierra Leone (OSM-SL)

Context

This general service award has been created as a means to recognize in a timelier manner those who serve in or provide support to overseas operations and for which no other medals, such as United Nations or NATO medals, are available. Rather than creating a new honour for each new Canadian Forces operation as it arises, the Operational Service Medal - with its theatre or task specific

ribbons - can be awarded in future to honour participation in any operation that meets the criteria.

Operational Service Medal – South-West Asia (OSM-SWA)

Context

This general service award has been created as a means to recognize in a timelier manner those who serve in or provide support to overseas operations and for which no other medals, such as United Nations or NATO medals, are available. Rather than creating a new honour for each new Canadian Forces operation as it arises, the Operational Service Medal - with its theatre or task specific ribbons - can be awarded in future to honour participation in any operation that meets the criteria.

General Service Medal – EXPEDITION (GSM-EXP)

Context

This general service award has been created as a means to recognize in a timelier manner those who provide direct support to operations in the presence of an armed enemy. Rather than creating a new honour for each new Canadian Forces operation as it arises, the General Campaign Star (GCS) and General Service Medal (GSM) - with their theatre or service specific ribbons - can be awarded in future to honour participation in any operation that meets the criteria.

General Service Medal – SOUTH-WEST ASIA (GSM-SWA)

Context

This general service award has been created as a means to recognize in a more timely manner those who provide direct support to operations in the presence of an armed enemy. Rather than creating a new honour for each new Canadian Forces operation as it arises, the General Campaign Star and General Service Medal - with the addition of individual operational bars - can be awarded in future to honour participation in any operation that meets the criteria.

General Service Medal – ALLIED FORCE (GSM-AF)

Context

This general service award has been created as a means to recognize in a timelier manner those who provide direct support to operations in the presence of an armed enemy. Rather than creating a new honour for each new Canadian Forces operation as it arises, the General Campaign Star (GCS) and General Service Medal (GSM) - with their theatre or service specific ribbons - can be awarded in future to honour participation in any operation that meets the criteria.