Medal for Gallantry

The Medal for Gallantry (MG) is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force. It recognises acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances. The MG was introduced on 15 January 1991, replacing the Imperial equivalent. It is ranked third in the Gallantry Decorations in the Australian Honours System.The highest ranked military gallantry decoration is the Victoria Cross/Victoria Cross for Australia.The second ranked military gallantry decoration is the Star of Gallantry.(Refer to ) Recipients of the Medal of Gallantry are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "MG".
==Description==
* The Medal for Gallantry is circular and is made of gold-plated silver. It is ensigned with the Crown of Saint Edward. The obverse bears a Federation Star, which is superimposed on a circle of flames. This image represents action under fire.
* The reverse shows a horizontal panel superimposed on a design of fluted rays.
* The Medal for Gallantry is suspended from a 32 millimetre-wide ribbon by a narrow gold-plated silver suspender bar. The ribbon has a design of chevrons of light orange alternating with chevrons of deep orange angled at 60 degrees. The chevron pattern is placed as a stylised "A" with the points facing upwards.
==Decoration allowance==
Veterans who are paid disability pension under the Veterans Entitlements Act 1986 (the Act), and who have been awarded a gallantry award specified in the Act, including the Medal for Gallantry, are also paid a decoration allowance. In May 2011, the allowance was A$2.10 per fortnight.
==Notable recipients==
* Signalman Martin "Jock" Wallace MG, formerly of the 152 Signal Squadron and the Special Air Service Regiment. Awarded 27 November 2002 for actions in Afghanistan on 2 March 2002.
* Sergeant "C" (Matthew Locke MG of the Special Air Service Regiment) was subsequently killed in action in 2007.Vale SGT Locke , defence.gov.au
* Lance Corporal "E" is now known as Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith VC MG of the Special Air Service Regiment. He was awarded the MG for actions in the period May–September 2006 in Afghanistan,Benjamin Roberts-Smith, defence.gov.au and was subsequently awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia.
* Corporal "B", (later identified as Sergeant Brett Wood MG), of the 2nd Commando Regiment was subsequently killed in action on 23 May 2011.Vale SGT Wood , defence.gov.auTo be awarded the medal for gallantry, defence.gov.au
==List of recipients==
# 	Name 	Rank 	Date awarded	Citation 	Notes
 	Frank Alcorta 	Sergeant 	 	For acts of gallantry in hazardous circumstances as platoon sergeant of 2 Platoon, A Company, the 6th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, during the Battle of Long Tan, Phuoc Tuy Province, Vietnam on 18 August 1966. 	
05	Thomas Henry Arrowsmith 	Captain 	 	(Vietnam) 	CAPT Thomas Henry Arrowsmith, Certificate, vietnamroll.gov.au; National Medal, 10 Feb 1978, itsanhonour.gov.au; Mentioned in Despatches, 19 September 1969, awm.gov.au
 	Ryan James Avery 	Corporal 	 	For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances on 4 December 2010 while a sniper team member in Mentoring Task Force - Two on Operation SLIPPER in Afghanistan. 	
 	B (Brett Wood) 	Corporal 	 	For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances on Operation SLIPPER in Afghanistan in 2008 (sic - the actions were in 2006). 	
 	B 	Corporal 	 	For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances. 	
 	Cameron Baird 	Corporal 	 	For his conduct during a close quarters combat in Afghanistan during Operation SLIPPER in November 2007 	CPL Cameron Baird VC MG, www.army.gov.au
04	Graeme Eric Bolitho 	Second Lieutenant 	 	(Vietnam) 	2LT Graeme Eric Bolitho, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au
06	James Raymond Bourke 	Captain 	 	(Vietnam) 	CAPT James Raymond Bourke, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au; National Medal, 9 May 1979; AM (Member of the Order of Australia) For service to veterans and their families through the establishment and implementation of 'Operation Aussies Home'. 26 January 2009
17	John Douglas Campbell Burridge 	Corporal 	 	(Vietnam)Report of the Independent Review Panel of the End of War List - Vietnam, 25 August 1999, defence.gov.au Defence Honours and Awards Policy Review, 7 February 2008, defence.gov.au 	CPL John Douglas Campbell Burridge, Certificate, Mentioned in Despatches, www.vietnamroll.gov.au
18	Trevor William Byng 	Corporal 	 	(Vietnam) 	CPL Trevor William Byng, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au
 	C 	Lance Corporal 	 	For gallantry as a Patrol Medic during the treatment and evacuation of a wounded Australian soldier in the Special Forces Task Group, whilst deployed on Operation SLIPPER, Afghanistan in 2006. 	
25	C (Matthew Locke) 	Sergeant 	 	For gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances as the second-in-command of a Special Air Service Regiment patrol in the Special Forces Task Group whilst deployed on Operation Slipper, Afghanistan, in 2006. 	
 	C 	Sergeant 	 	For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances as a team commander, Special Operations Task Group on Operation SLIPPER in Afghanistan. 	
 	C 	Corporal 	 	For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances on Operation SLIPPER, in Afghanistan in 2012. 	
 	Daniel Sebastian Cash 	Major 	 	For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances during operations against Taliban and Anti Coalition Militia while deployed on Operation SLIPPER in Afghanistan, from June to October 2006. 	Mark Davis (2008) Gallantry of the highest order, Sydney Morning Herald, 26 January 2008
19	Frank Carr Cashmore 	Sergeant 	 	(Vietnam) 	Sgt Cashmore, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au; National Medal, 15 May 1978
20	Kevin George Casson 	Private 	 	(Vietnam) 	Private Casson, Certificate and Mentioned in Despatches, www.vietnamroll.gov.au
 	Michael Patrick Chalk 	Corporal 	 	For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances while an Engineer Search Commander in the Tangi Valley, Afghanistan, on 10 March 2012. 	
 	Brendan Michael Clarke 	Lance Corporal 	 	For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances while a rifleman with Team Three, Mentoring Team C, Mentoring Task Force 1, in the Central Baluchi Valley, Afghanistan on 15 March and 8 July 2010. 	
21	Brian John Collett 	Sergeant 	 	(Vietnam) 	Sgt Collett, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au
 	Warran Frank Cowan 	Pilot Officer 	 	For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances on 22 July 1942 as the plane captain of Lockheed Hudson A16-201. 	
 	David William Cox 	Private 	 	For gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances while a rifleman and combat first aider in Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force 1 at Kakarak, Afghanistan on 16 March 2009. 	
 	D 	Sergeant 	 	For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances. 	
 	Blaine Flower Diddams 	Sergeant 	 	For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances as a patrol commander, Special Operations Task Group Rotation XVII on Operation SLIPPER in Afghanistan on 2 July 2012. 	
 	Kevin Bede Dolan 	Warrant Officer Class Two	 	For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances while a joint terminal attack controller for Mentoring Team A, Mentoring Task Force 1, at Sorkh Lez in the Mirabad Valley, Afghanistan on 2 July 2010. 	
26	E (Ben Roberts-Smith) 	Lance Corporal 	 	For gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances as a patrol sniper in the Special Operations Task Group – Task Force 637, whilst deployed on Operation SLIPPER Rotation Three Afghanistan, May – September 2006. 	
27	F 	Trooper 	 	For gallantry in action in extremely hazardous conditions, as a patrol member in the Special Forces Task Group whilst deployed on Operation SLIPPER, Afghanistan in 2006. 	
07	Paul Ellis Green 	Captain 	 	(Vietnam) 	Capt Green, Certificate and Mentioned in Despatches, www.vietnamroll.gov.au; National Medal, 15 May 1981
22	Daniel John Handley 	Trooper 	 	(Vietnam) 	Trooper Handley, Certificate and mentioned in Despatches, www.vietnamroll.gov.au
08	John Boyd Healy 	Major 	 	(Vietnam) 	Maj Healy, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au; National Medal, 14 July 1977; National Medal - 1st clasp, 15 May 1979
09	William Francis Hindson, 	Lieutenant 	 	(Vietnam) 	Lt Hindson, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au; MC (Military Cross), Special Air Service - Vietnam - 10 December 1968; National Medal, 21 September 1977; Centenary Medal, "For many years voluntary service to veterans' associations and the Army" - 1 January 2001
 	Jeremy Thomas Holder 	Corporal 	 	For an act of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances as a Medical Assistant within the Special Operations Task Group - Task Force 637, while deployed on Operation. 	
 	Justin Wayne Huggett 	Corporal 	 	For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances while deployed in Afghanistan with the 1st Battalion, The Grenadier Guards Battle Group during Exercise LONG LOOK 2007. 	
 	J 	Corporal 	 	For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances on Operation SLIPPER in Afghanistan, June 2010. 	
 	J 	Sergeant 	 	For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances as an explosive ordnance disposal technician with the Special Operations Task Group on Operation SLIPPER. 	
 	Alan James Parr 	Private 	 	For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances as the radio operator in the 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment's mortar line during the Battle for Fire Support Base Coral in Vietnam on 13 May 1968. 	
 	K 	Private 	 	For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances. 	
 	Geoff Kendall 	Second Lieutenant 	 	For actions during the Vietnam War. 	2LT Kendall, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au; National Medal, 19 March 1979
 	Paul Bjorn Langer 	Private 	 	For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances on 24 August 2010 while a rifleman with Mentoring Team Delta, the 1st Mentoring Task Force at Derapet, Tangi Valley, Afghanistan. 	
 	Sean Anthony Lanigan 	Sergeant 	 	For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances on 24 August 2010 while a platoon sergeant and mentor with Mentoring Team Delta, the 1st Mentoring Task Force at Derapet, Tangi Valley, Afghanistan. 	
 	John Matthew Lines 	Warrant Officer Class Two	 	For gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances while acting as an Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team member at Kakarak, Afghanistan on 4 January 2009. 	
 	M 	Lance Corporal 	 	For acts of gallantry in hazardous circumstances on Operation SLIPPER. 	
 	Barry Eugene Magnussen 	Lance Corporal 	 	For acts of gallantry in hazardous circumstances as member of 4 Section, 11 Platoon, D Company, 6th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, during the Battle of Long Tan, Phuoc Tuy Province, Vietnam on 18 August 1966. 	
10	William McDonald 	Major 	 	(Vietnam) 	Maj McDonald, Certificate and Mentioned in Despatches, www.vietnamroll.gov.au; National Medal, 14 July 1977; National Medal - 1st clasp, 23 October 1981
11	Ian David McFarlane 	Major 	 	(Vietnam) 	Maj McFarlane, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au; National Medal, 14 July 1977; National Medal - 1st clasp, 15 May 1979
01	Andrew Colin Miller 	Corporal 	 	Awarded for actions in 1995 whilst serving with UNAMIR in Rwanda. 	
 	N 	Corporal 	 	For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances. 	
23	Steven Oddy 	Sergeant 	 	For gallantry on 16 October 1999 while leading a patrol in the vicinity of Aidabasalaia, East Timor, during Operation WARDEN. 	
12	Christopher John Gilbert Peacock	Captain 	 	(Vietnam) 	Capt Peacock, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au; National Medal, 18 June 1980
 	Russell Bradburn Pollack 	Sergeant 	 	For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances on 22 July 1942 as the plane navigator of Lockheed Hudson A16-201. 	
 	Francis Adrian Roberts 	Lieutenant 	 	For acts of gallantry in hazardous circumstances as Commander 3 Troop, 1 Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron, during the Battle of Long Tan, Phuoc Tuy Province, Vietnam on 18 August 1966. 	
 	David Steven Robertson 	Bombardier 	 	For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances on 20 March 2011 while a joint fires observer in Mentoring Task Force - Two on Operation SLIPPER in Afghanistan. 	
 	S 	Trooper 	 	For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances in Afghanistan as part of the Special Operations Task Group during Operation SLIPPER, Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan. 	
 	David R Sabben 	Second Lieutenant 	 	For actions during the Vietnam War. 	2Lt Sabben, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au
02	Rodrick Malcolm Scott 	Warrant Officer Class Two	 	Awarded for actions in 1995 whilst serving with UNAMIR in Rwanda. 	
 	Laurie Edwin Sheard 	Sergeant 	 	For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances on 22 July 1942 as the aircraft gunner of Lockheed Hudson A16-201 	
13	Peter Andrew Sibree 	Captain 	 	(Vietnam) 	Capt Sibree, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au; National Medal, 15 May 1978;AM (Member of the Order of Australia), "For service to the RAA as Commandant of the Infantry Centre Commander Singleton Military Area". 11 June 1990
 	Benjamin James Sime 	Petty Officer 	 	For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances during a waterborne terrorist attack in the North Persian Gulf, Iraq, during Operation CATALYST. 	
14	Bevan John Smith 	Captain 	 	(Vietnam) 	Capt Smith, Certificate and Mentioned in Despatches, www.vietnamroll.gov.au
 	Gavin Ronald Stevens 	Chief Petty Officer 	 	For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances as a commander, Tactical Explosive Ordnance Disposal patrol from Australian Clearance Diving Team Three on Operation FALCONER in Al Faw Peninsula, Iraq on 16 April 2003.	
15	Brian John Sullivan, 	Second Lieutenant 	 	(Vietnam) 	2LT Sullivan, Certificate and Mentioned in Despatches, www.vietnamroll.gov.au; MC (Military Cross), Armoured Regiment - Vietnam - 22 May 1970; National Medal, 11 March 1981
 	Ronald James Swanton 	Warrant Officer Class Two	 	For gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances on 13 November 1965 during a battle in the Tra Bong valley of Vietnam as an assistant advisor to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam. 	
 	T 	Private 	 	For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances while deployed on Operation SLIPPER. 	
 	Giancarlos Brasil Taraborrelli 	Corporal 	 	For gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances while an Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team member at Kakarak, Afghanistan on 16 March 2009. 	
 	David Reid Taylor 	Pilot Officer 	 	For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances on 22 July 1942 as the plane wireless operator of Lockheed Hudson A16-201. 	
03	Thomas Steven Tilbrook 	Lieutenant 	 	Awarded for actions in 1995 whilst serving with UNAMIR in Rwanda. 	
04	Carol Louise Vaughan-Evans 	Major 	 	For distinguished service, particularly in response to the massacre of civilian refugees at Kibeho on 22 April 1995 whilst serving with UNAMIR II in Rwanda. 	
24	Martin Wallace 	Signalman 	 	Wallace was awarded the Medal for Gallantry for his efforts on 2 March 2002, during Operation Anaconda, while attached to the United States 10th Mountain Division in the Shahi Kot Valley, Afghanistan. 	
 	Kevin Arthur Wheatley, 	Warrant Officer Class Two	 	For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances on 28 May and 18 August 1965 as an advisor and assistant advisor to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam. 	
16	Clive Owen Gestern Williams 	Second Lieutenant 	 	(Vietnam) 	2LT Williams, Certificate, www.vietnamroll.gov.au; National Medal, 9 May 1979
 	X 	Trooper 	 	For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances in Iraq while on Operation FALCONER. 	
==Number awarded==
In March 2018, only 55 of the recipients were listed on the "It's an Honour" website. A further 8 recipients have been identified from official publications of the Governor General, the Department of Defence and from special issues of the Australian Government Gazette.
Many of the awards have been presented at the official Australia Day ceremonies - held on 26 January - and Queen's Birthday ceremonies - held on the 2nd Monday in June.
 	Honours Lists	Honours Lists 	Honours Lists 	Honours Lists 	Special Lists	Special Lists	Special Lists 		Other Sources	Other Sources		It's an Honour	It's an Honour	It's an Honour	It's an Honour
Year 	AustraliaDay 	AustraliaDay 	Queen'sBirthday	Queen'sBirthday 	Other dates 	Other dates 	Other dates 		 	 		AD 	QB 	Other 	Total
2018 	- 	Honours List - Australia Day 2018, Governor General's website 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 		 	 	 	0
2017 	- 	Honours List - Australia Day 2017, Governor General's website 	- 	Honours List - Queens's Birthday 2017, Governor General's website 	- 	- 	 		 	 		 	 	 	0
2016 	- 	Honours List - Australia Day 2016 , Governor General's website 	- 	Honours List - Queens's Birthday 2016, Governor General's website 	3 	2 Nov 2016 	Gallantry awards for actions during the Vietnam War, 2 November 2016, Governor General's website 		 	 		 	 	3 	3
2015 	1 	Medal for Gallantry - Australia Day 2015, Media Notes, Governor General's website 	1 	Medal for Gallantry - Queen's Birthday 2015, Media Notes, Governor General's website 	- 	- 	 		 	 		1 	1 	 	2
2014 	2 	Medal for Gallantry - Australia Day 2014 , Media Notes, Governor General's website	- 	Honours List - Queens's Birthday 2014, Governor General's website 	- 	- 	 		 	 		2 	 	 	2
2013 	3 	Medal for Gallantry - Australia Day 2013 , Media Notes, Governor General's website	2 	Medal for Gallantry - Queen's Birthday 2013, Media Notes, Governor General's website 	- 	- 	 		 	 		3 	2 	 	5
2012 	4 	Medal for Gallantry - Australia Day 2012, Media Notes, Governor General's website 	3 	Medal for Gallantry - Queen's Birthday 2012, Media Notes, Governor General's website 	- 	- 	 		 	 		4 	3 	 	7
2011 	- 	Honours Lists - Australia Day 2011 , Governor General's website 	3 	Medal for Gallantry - Queen's Birthday 2011 , Media Notes, Governor General's website	- 	- 	 		 	 		 	3 	 	3
2010 	3 	Medal for Gallantry - Australia Day 2010 , Media Notes, Governor General's website	- 	Honours List - Queen's Birthday 2010 , Governor General's website 	- 	- 	 		 	 		3 	 	 	3
2009 	2 	Medal for Gallantry - Australia Day 2009 , Media Notes, Governor General's website	1 	Medal for Gallantry - Queen's Birthday 2009 , Media Notes, Governor General's website	- 	- 	 		1 	 		2 	1 	 	3
2008 	2 	Medal for Gallantry - Australia Day 2008, Media Notes, Governor General's website 	- 	Honours List - Queen's Birthday 2008 , Governor General's website 	2 	18 Aug 2008 	Gallantry awards for actions during the Vietnam War, Special Gazette No. S167, 18 August 2008, Commonwealth of Australia 		 	 		2 	 	2 	4
2006 	- 	 	- 	 	3 	2 Dec 2006 	Soldiers' gallantry honoured, Defence Media Release MECC 337/06, 2 December 2006. 		 	 		 	 	 	0
2003 	- 	 	- 	 	1 	18 May 2003 	 		 	 		 	 	 	0
2002 	- 	 	- 	 	1 	27 Nov 2002 	 		 	 		 	 	 	0
2000 	- 	 	- 	 	1 	25 March 2000	 		 	 		 	 	1 	1
1999 	- 	 	- 	 	6 	1 Dec 1999 	Awards vide Special Gazette No S565 dated Wednesday 1 December 1999 (as a result of the Independent Review of the End of War List) - see The Vietnam End of War List, vvaa.org.au, for a list of the 6 awardees.		 	 		 	 	6 	6
1998 	- 	 	- 	 	13 	3 Jun 1998 	The Vietnam End of War List. Australian Awards to Service Personnel Announced 3 June 1998 and Subsequently. vvaa.org.au 		 	 		 	 	13 	13
1996 	- 	 	- 	 	3 	25 Nov 1996 	 		1 	 		 	 	3 	3
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		 	 		 	 	 	
Totals	17 	 	10 	 	33 	Sub-Total 	60 		2 	62 		17 	10 	28 	55
==See also==
* Australian Honours Order of Precedence
==References==
==External links==
*It's an Honour
Category:Military awards and decorations of Australia
Category:Courage awards
*
Category:1991 establishments in Australia
Category:Awards established in 1991