Australia

On February 19, 1942, Japanese attacked Australia. Japanese carrier-based aircraft raided Darwin. Japanese planes also bombed Northern Queensland several times in 1942. Darwin was bombed 64 times and nearly destroyed.

Worried about a Japanese invasion, American and Australian engineers and soldiers built the 1,000-mile road between Mount Isa and Darwin, linking north and south Australia, in 100 days.

The 36mm Australia Service Medal (1939-1945) was instituted in 1949 to recognize the service of members of the Australian Armed Forces and the Australian Mercantile Marine during World War II. The medal was originally awarded to those who served at home or overseas for at least 18 months or three years of part-time service, between September 3, 1939 and September 2, 1945. Members of the Australian Mercantile Marine must have served their qualifying time at sea.

In 1996 the qualifying time was reduced to 30 days full-time or 90 days part-time service. To be eligible for the medal a serviceman or woman must have been honorably discharged from the Australian Armed Forces.


Australia Service Medal (1939-1945)


The obverse of the 36mm silver medal is nickel silver with the crowned effigy of King George VI and the inscription GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX ET INDIAE IMP. The central reverse shows the Australian Commonwealth coat of arms surrounded by the inscription THE AUSTRALIA SERVICE MEDAL 1939-1945. The medal was rim named.


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