DECORATIONS FOR N.Z. MEN

Dominion, Volume 39, Issue 28, 27 October 1945, Page 6

DECORATIONS FOR N.Z. MEN

Total Of 5236 Awards During War HONOURS FROM ALLIED NATIONS An outstanding feature of the list of honours and awards to New Zealand soldiers, sailors and airmen in the 193945 war was the fact that just on 160 decorations were received from 11 Allied nations, showing ,how much the services of our gallant men were appreciated in other countries, said the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones, yesterday. The record as a whole was a notable one, Mr. Jones continued From the outbreak of war in September, 1939, up 'to September 9 this year, the awards totalled 5236. Members of the Merchant Navy had also been decorated for distinguished service. A rare distinction was gained by Captain C. 11. Upham, who virtually twice won the Victoria Cross by achieving a bar to the first award. Four other soldiers and two airmen also won the V.C. The Distinguished Service Order was awarded to 87 soldiers, of whom 15 gained bars to the decoration ; to six sailors (one with bar), and to 68 airmen (with four bars). Five members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force were awarded the George Medal. The Albert Medal was won by a member of the Royal New Zealand Navy. Most of the 5286 decorations were won bv members of the 2nd N.Z.E.F., the totals being:—N.Z.E.F., 3087; R.N.Z.N., 371 : R.N.Z.A.F., 1778. “The wide range of our airmen’s combat operations and the high standard of their services with and for the Allied nations are shown in the register of awards from other countries. These decorations are as follows: —U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross, 16; U.S. Air Medal, 18; U.S. Legion of Merit, 2; Polish Virtute Militari, 2; French Croix de Guerre, 5; Belgian Croix de Guerre, 1; Order of Lenin, 1; Order of Crown of Yugoslavia, 2; White Eagle of Yugoslavia, 1; Norwegian War Cross, 1; Czech War Cross, 1. “The 2nd N.Z.E.F. received 26 American decorations, one Russian and 48 Greek. The R.N.Z.N. received 33 U.S. awards, and one Croix de Guerre,” the Minister said. In addition to the honours and awards already mentioned decorations were won by New Zealanders as follows :— Army: M.C., 214 (11 bars); D.C.M., 95 (one bar) ; M.M., 488 (four bars); K.C.8., 1: C.8.E., 63; M.8.E., 108; 8.E.M., 59: R.R.G., 24; mentioned in dispatches. 1803. Navy: C. 8., 2; 0.8. E., 8; M.8.E., 11; D.S.C.. 8S (seven bars and one second bar); D.F.C., 1; 0.G.M., 1; D.S.M., 32; B. 13: mentioned in dispatches, 164: special commendations, 1. Air Force: M.C., 2; C.G.M., 5; M.M., 3; D.F.C., 80S (71 bars and four second bars) ; D.F.M., 176 (one bar) ; A.F.C., 73'(two bars); A.F.M.. 5; 8.E.M., 21; C. 1; C.8.E.. 5; 0.8. E.. 12M.8.E., 21; mentioned in dispatches,. 372; commendations, 17.