ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The United Nations Temporary Executive Authority and Security Force in West New Gunea (West Irian) was established by General Assembly Resolution 1752 in September of 1962. PURPOSE OF THE MISSION The UNTEA was established to maintain peace and security in the territory under the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority established by agreement between Indonesia and the Netherlands. EFFECTIVE DATES This mission was in effect from October of 1962 to April of 1963. CRITERIA The United Nations Medal with this ribbon design was awarded to personnel of the Armed Forces of the United States who served for a period of not less than six months DESIGNER The design of the medal was specified by the United Nations. ORDER OF PRECEDENCE The order of precedence for wearing the United Nations Medal is set by the national government of the recipients. In the case of the United States, this medal is worn after the UN Korean Medal and before the NATO Medal for "Former Yugoslavia." DEVICES Additional awards of any United Nations medal are denoted by bronze stars. DESCRIPTION AND SYMBOLISM The is the standard United Nations medal. The emblem of the United Nations is shown in the center of a bronze medallion. Above this emblem are the letters UN in the twelve o'clock position. Reverse The reverse bears the inscription IN THE SERVICE / OF PEACE in two lines in the center of the medal. Ribbon The ribbon consists of a backtround of UN blue with three centered narrow stripes of dark green (representing the jungle and swampland). white (alluding to snow-capped mountains), and light green (symbolic of the coral beachers of the region). |