- Time Period: Post-WW2
- Year of Institution: 2005
- Country: Great Britain
The Operational Service Medal for the Democratic Republic of Congo is a campaign medal conferred upon all British personnel who served during the period of June to September 2003 as part of Operation Coral. This operation marked the British contribution to the multinational peacekeeping effort led by France in the Democratic Republic of Congo, occurring during the latter phases of the Second Congo War.
The Operational Service Medal (also known as OSM) was established in 1999 to replace the General Service Medal (1962) for all new operations. A separate medal of the same design is awarded for each campaign, differentiated by a distinct ribbon.
The General Service Medal for Congo Qualifying Criteria
The medal with a clasp is conferred for either 25 days of continuous service in Bunia, located in the Ituri Province of the Congo, or completion of five round-trip operational flights between Entebbe and Bunia. This service must have taken place between June 14 and September 10, 2003, as part of Operation Coral.
There is no specific minimum duration required for individuals who were killed, wounded, or disabled during operations, or for those who received decorations for their operational service, including commendations and mentions in dispatches.
The service that qualifies for the Operational Service Medal also contributes towards the period necessary to receive the Accumulated Campaign Service Medal.
British military personnel who served with United Nations forces in the Congo from November 30, 1999, for a minimum of 90 days as part of the MONUC or MONUSCO missions are eligible to wear the United Nations Medal with the appropriate ribbon.
The General Service Medal for Congo Design
The Operational Service Medal for the Democratic Republic of Congo features a silver circular design.
On the obverse side, it displays the crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth II along with the inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FID. DEF.
The reverse side showcases the Union Flag encircled by the inscription FOR OPERATIONAL SERVICE, with the four primary compass points depicted alongside four Coronets: Royal (top left), Naval (top right), Mural-Army (bottom left), and Astral-Royal Air Force (bottom right).
Its ribbon consists of a wide central red stripe flanked by navy blue and light blue stripes, symbolizing the three services, and an outer stripe of ochre representing the Congolese landscape.
Each medal is accompanied by a DROC clasp, with a silver rosette indicating the clasp when worn on the ribbon bar.
The General Service Medal Variants
The OSM has been awarded for four separate campaigns, each with a distinctive ribbon. The other three are:
