The International Force East Timor Medal
Overview
The International Force East Timor (INTERFET) Medal is an Australian medal instituted by Her Majesty The Queen in 2000 for award to Australian personnel who served in the INTERFET in 1999-2000. The medal was also offered to New Zealand military personnel who served with INTERFET.
In February 2002, the New Zealand Government approved the unrestricted acceptance and wear of the INTERFET Medal by eligible New Zealand personnel.
Description
The INTERFET medal is silver in colour and circular in shape. The obverse features the outline of a dove of peace carrying an olive branch superimposed on an outline map of East Timor and its territories. The image is encircled by the inscription ‘INTERNATIONAL FORCE EAST TIMOR’.
The reverse bears the inscription ‘TOGETHER AS ONE FOR PEACE IN EAST TIMOR’ around the circumference.
The ribbon has a central red stripe, flanked by stripes of green, white, and pale blue. The white, green, and blue stripes represent the Navy, Army, and Air Force, with the dual representation of white for peace, blue for the sea surrounding East Timor, and green for the regrowth of a new nation. The central red stripe represents the turbulent past of East Timor.
Eligibility
New Zealand personnel who completed 30 days of service from 20 September 1999 to 22 February 2000.
Australian personnel who completed 30 days of service during the period between 16 September 1999 to 10 April 2000.
Queries & requests
-
Wearing this medal
The International Force East Timor (INTERFET) Medal is worn as a Commonwealth medal in the New Zealand Order of Wear.
In February 2002, the New Zealand Government approved the unrestricted acceptance and wear of the INTERFET Medal by eligible New Zealand personnel.
For more information on how to wear and care for honours, medals, and awards:
-
Checking eligibility and applying for this medal
NZDF Personnel Archives and Medals (PAM) awards war, operational, and service medals to both former and current NZDF members. If you believe you or someone you know may be eligible for these medals, you can use our online eligibility tool to check and apply easily.
-
Checking if this medal was issued
Honours, medals, and awards bestowed on an individual for service in the New Zealand Armed Forces are recorded in their individual service record. NZDF Personnel Archives and Medals holds a collection of about 1.5 million service records relating to 420,000 New Zealand service personnel who served in New Zealand’s Military Forces after the First World War.
Service records are not currently digitised, but we can locate it and find the information you might be looking for or help you book a time for you to see the records in Trentham by completing the form on the Service Record page.