Star of Gallantry

{{EngvarB|date=June 2018}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}

{{Infobox military award

|name = Star of Gallantry

|image = 150px

90px

|caption = Medal and ribbon

|presenter = Australia

|type = Military decoration

|eligibility = Members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and others deemed eligible by the Minister for Defence

|awarded_for = "Acts of great heroism or conspicuous gallantry in action in circumstances of great peril"{{cite web |url=http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/awards/medals/star_gallantry.cfm |title=Star of Gallantry |access-date=12 September 2007 |date=13 April 2007 |work=It's an Honour |publisher=Government of Australia }}

|campaign =

|status = Currently awarded

|description = A gold-plated silver Federation Star. The ribbon has a design of chevrons of light orange alternating with chevrons of deep orange angled at 60 degrees.

|clasps =

|post-nominals = SG

|established = 15 January 1991

|firstawarded = 26 November 2006

|lastawarded = 17 July 2017

|total_awarded = 8{{cite book |title=Governor-General Annual Report 2022-23 |date=6 October 2023 |publisher=Governor General of Australia |url=https://www.gg.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-10/Office%20of%20the%20Official%20Secretary%20to%20the%20Governor-General%20-%20Annual%20Report%202022%E2%80%932023%20Accessible.pdf |access-date=28 November 2023}}

|total_awarded_posthumously =

|total_recipients =

|individual =

|precedence_label = Order of Wear

|higher = Commander of the Royal Victorian OrderAustralian Honours Order of Precedence [http://www.ag.gov.au/portal/govgazonline.nsf/B89078223273891ACA257364000409C3/$file/S192.htm The Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards], Australian Government Gazette, 28 September 2007. Retrieved 25 July 2009.

|same =

|lower = Star of Courage

|related = Victoria Cross for Australia
Medal for Gallantry
Unit Citation for Gallantry

|image2 =

|caption2 =

}}

The Star of Gallantry (SG) is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and other persons recognised by the Minister for Defence. It is awarded for acts of great heroism or conspicuous gallantry in action in circumstances of great peril. It is the second highest of the military gallantry awards in the Australian Honours System, only surpassed by the Victoria Cross or Victoria Cross for Australia (VC).Strictly speaking, "Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in the Military Division" is a higher award than the SG, but the AC is awarded for "Eminent service in duties of great responsibility", not for heroism or gallantry. Refer Order of Wear.[http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/publications/honours/factsheets/Star_of_Gallantry.pdf Star of Gallantry fact sheet], itsanhonour.gov.au. Retrieved 25 July 2009.[http://www.defence.gov.au/medals/default.htm?mi=/medals/Content/+032%20Gallantry%20and%20Distinguished%20Service%20Awards/+050%20SG/ Star of Gallantry], Defence Honours & Awards, defence.gov.au. Retrieved 25 July 2009.

Background

The SG was introduced on 15 January 1991, replacing the Imperial equivalents, (the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal Air and Naval), as second level awards to Other Ranks and ratings. The SG also replaced the Distinguished Service Order, in its role as an award to officers for gallantry. The SG has no rank requirements and all service personnel are eligible. The UK equivalent is the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (CGC) and the US equivalents are the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross and Air Force Cross.

Recipients of the Star of Gallantry are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "SG". Recipients of the award are normally announced in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. Since its inception eight awards have been made.

Government allowance

The Veteran's Entitlements Act 1986 Section 102 specifies that the Repatriation Commission may grant an allowance of A$2.10 per fortnight to veterans, serving members of the Australian Defence Force, and members of Peacekeeping Forces who have been awarded the Star of Gallantry, or other "eligible decorations" specified in Section 102.{{cite web |title=Veteran's Entitlements Act 1986 – Sect 102 |url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/vea1986261/s102.html |access-date=17 November 2007 |work=Commonwealth Consolidated Acts |publisher=Australasian Legal Information Institute }}

Description

  • The Star of Gallantry is a gold-plated silver Federation Star ensigned with the Crown of Saint Edward. The obverse displays a smaller Federation Star, which is surrounded by stylised flames. This image represents action under fire.
  • The reverse shows a horizontal panel superimposed on a stepped background.
  • The medal is suspended from a 32 millimetre-wide ribbon by a narrow bar, which is engraved with the words "For Gallantry". The ribbon has a design of chevrons of light orange alternating with chevrons of deep orange angled at 60 degrees.

Recipients

class="wikitable sortable"

! Name

RankDate awardedCitationNotes
ASergeant{{dts|26 November 2006}}For conspicuous gallantry in action and leadership as a Commando Section Commander in the Special Forces Task Group, whilst deployed on Operation SLIPPER 2006.

| from 4RAR (Commando) became the first recipient of the Star of Gallantry.D.D. McNicoll (2006) [http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/brave-digger-wins-star-of-gallantry/story-e6frg6nf-1111112589945 Brave Digger wins Star of Gallantry], 27 November 2006, The Australian, The Australian.news.com.au. Retrieved 26 January 2010. Sergeant A was awarded the medal for his actions whilst assisting with the extraction of threatened coalition forces in Orūzgān Province, Afghanistan.[http://www.defence.gov.au/media/DepartmentalTpl.cfm?CurrentId=6168 Australian Commandos receive Decorations for Gallantry], Department of Defence media release MSPA 316/06, 26 November 2006, defence.gov.au. Retrieved 25 July 2009. The medal was presented by Governor General Michael Jeffery.[http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20824027-1702,00.html Soldier wins highest honour since Vietnam]{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}, AAP, appearing in The Australian, 26 November 2006, The Australian.news.com.au. Retrieved 25 July 2009.{{cite web |title=Star of Gallantry Extract |url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1670252 |website=DPMC Honours |access-date=2 April 2024}}

Raymond Jesse AllsoppCaptain{{dts|17 July 2017}}For acts of gallantry in action as a member of 2nd/5th Australian Cavalry Commando Squadron, 2nd/7th Australian Cavalry Commando Regiment during Operation Oboe Two to the North East of Balikpapan, Timor on 1 July 1945.

|Allsopp served with the 2/5th Commando Squadron and was killed in action at Balikpapan, on 1 July 1945. The award was made 72 years after Allsopp's death following a review by the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal, which upgraded his previously awarded Mention in Despatches to a Star of Gallantry.{{cite web |url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/2003775 |title=Star of Gallantry: The late Captain Raymond Jesse Allsopp |publisher=Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet |access-date=24 November 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/minister/dan-tehan/statements/three-servicemen-receive-posthumous-awards-gallantry |title=Three servicemen receive Posthumous Awards of Gallantry |date=17 July 2017 |publisher=Department of Defence |access-date=24 November 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/618034 |title=Allsopp, Raymond Jesse |work=Virtual War Memorial Australia |access-date=24 November 2019}}

BPrivate{{dts|9 June 2014}}For conspicuous gallantry in action in circumstances of great peril while on operations on Operation SLIPPER.

|{{cite web|url=https://www.gg.gov.au/sites/default/files/files/honours/qb/qb2014/Media%20Notes%20-%20Military.pdf|title=Military – Gallantry, Distinguished & Conspicuous|access-date=9 June 2014|work=Queen's Birthday 2014 Honours List|publisher=Australian Honours Secretariat}}

DSergeant{{dts|13 June 2011}}For acts of conspicuous gallantry in action in circumstances of great peril with the Special Operations Task Group.

|{{cite news |title=Queen's Birthday Honours: Recognition of Service |newspaper=Army News: The Soldiers' Newspaper |publisher=Edition 1261 |url=http://digital.realviewtechnologies.com/?xml=defencenews_army.xml |date=23 June 2011 |page=22 |access-date=30 June 2011}} – [http://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/editions/1261/1261.pdf pdf version], 84MB.

PSergeant{{dts|26 January 2011}}For acts of conspicuous gallantry in action in circumstances of great peril while on Operation SLIPPER in Afghanistan.

|[https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1144098 SGT P, SG], 26 January 2011, itsanhonour.gov.au. Citation: For acts of conspicuous gallantry in action in circumstances of great peril while on Operation Slipper in Afghanistan.{{cite web |title=Soldier wins Star of Gallantry for Afghan battle |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/01/26/3121830.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110128201302/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/01/26/3121830.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 January 2011 |publisher=ABC News |access-date=25 January 2011}}{{cite web |title=Digger awarded Star of Gallantry |url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/digger-awarded-star-of-gallantry/2058740.aspx |work=The Canberra Times |date=27 January 2011 |author= David Ellery |access-date=28 January 2012}}

Harry Smith, {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100|sep=,|MC}}Lieutenant Colonel{{dts|18 August 2008}}For actions during the Vietnam War.

| He was awarded the decoration for his leadership and gallantry during the Battle of Long Tan in the Vietnam War. Smith was originally recommended for the Distinguished Service Order following the battle, but this was subsequently downgraded to the Military Cross. The award of the Star of Gallantry to Smith came as a result of several years of campaigning to the Australian Government resulting in an independent review which recommended the award.[http://www.pmc.gov.au/publications/longtan_ubon/index.cfm Review of Recognition for the Battle of Long Tan and RAAF Ubon: Reports], Publications and Reports, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, 31 March 2008, pmc.gov.au. Retrieved 25 July 2009.{{cite news |first=Tony |last=Wright |title=Long Tan men to finally get gallantry medals |url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/long-tan-men-to-finally-get-gallantry-medals-20080813-3v2j.html |work=The Age |date=14 August 2008 |access-date=19 January 2009}}[https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1139362 Harry Smith, SG], 18 August 2008, itsanhonour.gov.au. Citation: For actions during the Vietnam War.

SPrivate{{dts|26 January 2010}}For acts of conspicuous gallantry in action in circumstances of great peril while a lead scout in Afghanistan in 2008.

| "Private S' gallantry ensured the safety of his team, neutralised the enemy and achieved mission success. Private S, as the lead scout of his team, was heavily engaged at close quarters with automatic fire and rocket propelled grenades by a well armed and determined insurgent force. He displayed complete disregard for his personal safety by moving to an exposed firing position in order to fire and throw grenades to suppress enemy within 30 metres of his position. His selfless act enabled the rest of his team to fire and manoeuvre to regain the initiative and neutralise the enemy. His efforts are in the finest traditions of the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force."[http://www.gg.gov.au/res/File/PDFs/honours/ad10/Media%20Notes%20SG%20(final).pdf?PHPSESSID=e1925f341864539c18165ee7259f02e2 Star of Gallantry], Australia Day 2010 Honours List, www.gg.gov.au. Retrieved 26 January 2010.Lanai Vasek (2010) [http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/gallantry-award-for-private/story-e6frg6nf-1225823430099 Gallantry award for private], 26 January 2010, The Australian, The Australian. Retrieved 26 January 2010.

SPrivate{{dts|13 June 2011}}For acts of conspicuous gallantry in action in circumstances of great peril with the Special Operations Task Group.

|

References

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