Page 106 - Medals of the Irish Defence Forces

Wearing of Medals

Family Members
Contrary to popular belief, next of kin should not wear the medals of a deceased family member.
Medals are decorations awarded to individuals in recognition of specific acts and service and
should only be worn by the individual to whom awarded.

The exception to the above is when the medal is awarded posthumously.

Family members of deceased members of the Defence Forces should only wear the following
medals when the decoration is presented directly to the next of kin.

The Military Medal for Gallantry
The Distinguished Service Medal
The Military Star
The Service Medal
The United Nations Peacekeeping Medal

replacement of medals
A limited facility to provide individuals with replacement medals is available through ‘A’
Administration Section, DFHQ. This only applies where the medal recipient certifies that the
medal has been lost or destroyed and only where the organisation that issued the medal offers a
replacement service. At present this applies to the Defence Forces and the United Nations only.
A charge applies for this service.

Further information on this service is available from ‘A’ Administration or on the ‘A’ Administration
page of the Defence Forces Intranet.

105