Page 34 - Medals of the Irish Defence Forces

United Nations Medals

oNUC 1960

United Nations operation in the Congo
(the acronym derives from the french, operation des Nations Unies au Congo)

mission:
ONUC was established initially in July 1960 to ensure the withdrawal of
Belgian forces, to assist the Government in maintaining law and order, and
to provide technical assistance. The function of ONUC was subsequently
modified to include maintaining the territorial integrity and the political
independence of the Congo, preventing the occurrence of civil war, and
securing the removal from the Congo of all foreign military, paramilitary
and advisory personnel not under the United Nations command, and all
mercenaries. On completion of the mandate the Mission was withdrawn
in June 1964.

medal:
Medal obverse
oBvERSE The medal bears a map of the world, bronze in colour, surrounded by olive
branches and bearing the letters UN on the top inscribed in bas-relief.

Medal Reverse
The medal reverse contains the expression IN THE SERVICE OF
PEACE inscribed in bas-relief.

ribbon:
In 1963 it was decided that a distinctive ribbon should be issued. The
ribbon subsequently awarded carries a broad centre band of green,
symbolic of hope that was thought to be appropriate for a young nation,
REvERSE
and also to represent the Congo Basin. The centre band is flanked by two
narrow white bands, representing the UN Mission and at either end are
two bars of UN blue.

Qualification:
RIBBoN
Qualifying period of 90 days of the service in mission area.

note:
The First Medal awarded to personnel serving in the Belgian Congo was
the same as the UNTSO Medal with a Clasp pinned in the centre of the
Ribbon with the word CONGO.

1960-1963 MEDAL RIBBoN

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