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Category: Post-WW2 Medals

The Nigeria Loyal Service And Good Conduct Medal

The Loyal Service And Good Conduct Medal is a Nigerian decoration awarded to members of the armed forces for 16 years’ exemplary service.

The Loyal Service And Good Conduct Medal is a Nigerian decoration awarded to members of the armed forces for completing sixteen years’ exemplary service.

As a condition, the person needs to also hold the Armed Forces Service Star. Commissioned officers cannot receive this medal. 

The Loyal Service And Good Conduct Medal Design

The medal is round and bears the inscription “Federal Republic of Nigeria” in the obverse, as well as a map of the country. The reverse bears the inscription “Nigeria Armed Forces” around the edge and “For Loyal Service and Good Conduct” in the center.

The ribbon is blue, white, red, and light blue.

The Distinguished Service Medal (Nigeria)

The Distinguished Service Medal is a Nigerian decoration awarded to members of the armed forces for distinguished acts of gallantry.

The Distinguished Service Medal is a Nigerian decoration awarded to members of the armed forces for distinguished acts of gallantry during duty.

Commissioned officers cannot receive this medal. 

The Distinguished Service Medal Design

The medal is round and bears the inscription “Federal Republic of Nigeria” in the obverse, as well as a relief oftwo horses and a shield. The reverse bears the inscription “Nigeria Armed Forces” around the edge and “For Distinguished Service” in the center.

The ribbon is dark blue.

The Nigeria Eagle Medal

The Nigeria Eagle Medal is a Nigerian decoration awarded to members of the Nigerian Armed Forces for gallantry in the face of the enemy.

The Nigeria Eagle Medal is a Nigerian decoration awarded to members of the Nigerian Armed Forces in recognition of gallantry in the face of the enemy.

Commissioned officers cannot receive this award.

The Nigeria Eagle Medal Design

The medal is rounded and bears the inscription “Federal Republic of Nigeria” in the obverse, as well as a relief of an eagle. The reverse bears the inscription “Nigeria Armed Forces” around the edge and “For Bravery in the Field” in the middle.

The ribbon is dark blue.

The River Benue Star

The River Benue Star is a Nigerian medal awarded to commissioned officers for distinguished acts of gallantry in the course of duty.

The River Benue Star is a Nigerian medal awarded to commissioned officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces for distinguished acts of gallantry in the course of duty.

The River Niger Star Design

The medal is a six-sided star and bears the inscription “Federal Republic of Nigeria – Gallantry” in the obverse.

The ribbon is green with white edge stripes and a black-edged red central stripe.

The River Niger Star

The River Niger Star is a Nigerian medal awarded to officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces in recognition of outstanding bravery.

The River Niger Star was awarded to commissioned officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces for exceptional valor demonstrated in combat situations. 

The River Niger Star Design

The medal is a star. The front side bears an inscription, although limited information about this decoration is accessible.

The ribbon is red, dark blue, khaki, and light blue/green.

The Nigerian Independence Medal

The Nigerian Independence Medal is a medal established in 1960 and awarded to those who aided in the transition toward independence.

The Nigerian Independence Medal was sanctioned by Queen Elizabeth II to mark Nigeria’s independence on October 1, 1960. It was designed to honor the individuals serving in the Royal Nigerian Military Forces, Royal Nigerian Navy, and the Nigeria Police Force on that historic day.

Additionally, it extended recognition to members of the British Army who were temporarily assigned to the Royal Nigerian Military Forces.

The Nigerian Independence Medal Design

The Nigerian Independence Medal, crafted from cupro-nickel, bears the crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth II on its circular surface. On the reverse side, it showcases the Nigerian Coat of Arms alongside the inscription “Nigeria Independence, 1st October 1960.”

Its ribbon is adorned with three vertical stripes in green, white, and green.

The Armed Forces Service Star (Nigeria)

The Armed Forces Service Star is a Nigerian order awarded to members of the armed forces who have completed twelve years of service.

The Armed Forces Service Star is a Nigerian medal awarded to members of the armed forces for twelve years of service. During the time period, the person must also have maintained an exemplary record. 

Recipients of this honor have demonstrated excellent conduct, professionalism, and loyalty throughout their military service.

The Armed Forces Service Star Design

The insignia is circular and features a star and a central disc with the inscription “For recognised Service“. The reverse is plain.

The ribbon is blue, green, and white.

The Order of the Federal Republic (Nigeria)

The Order of the Federal Republic is a Nigerian order of merit and one of the highest honors bestowed by the country.

The Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), established in 1963 by the Federal Republic of Nigeria and stands as one of the country’s two prestigious orders of merit, with precedence over the Order of the Niger.

At the apex of this honor is the Grand Commander in the Order of the Federal Republic and the Grand Commander in the Order of the Niger, reserved for the President and Vice-President, respectively. Notably, the Presiding Judge in the Supreme Court and the Chairman of the Senate hold ex officio positions as Commanders in the Order of the Niger.

The order has four grades:

  • Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR)
  • Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR)
  • Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR)
  • Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR)

The Order of the Federal Republic Design

The insignia of the order varies considerably depending on the grade, but consists of a star and a central disc with the inscription “Order of the Federal Republic”. 

The ribbon is green and white. The Military Division has an additional thin red line in the center. 

The Order the Niger

The Order of the Niger was one of the two orders of merit established by Nigeria after it became an independent country.

The Order of the Niger is an order of merit with a Civil Division and a Military Division established in 1960. 

Nigeria achieved independence on October 1, 1960, and subsequently became the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 1963. Following this transition, two prestigious orders of merit were established: the Order of the Niger and the Order of the Federal Republic.

The highest distinctions, the Grand Commander in the Order of the Federal Republic and the Grand Commander in the Order of the Niger, are conferred upon the President and Vice-President respectively. Additionally, the presiding judge of the Supreme Court and the chairman of the Senate are automatically invested as Commanders in the Order of the Niger by virtue of their positions.

The grades of the Order of the Niger are:

  • Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON)
  • Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON)
  • Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON)
  • Member of the Order of the Niger (MON)

The Order of the Niger Design

The insignia of the order varies considerably depending on the grade, but consists of a star and a central disc with the inscription “Order of the Niger”. 

The ribbon is red, white, and green. The Military Division has an additional thin red line in the middle. 

The Order of Mendi for Bravery

The Order of Mendi for Bravery is a South African order created to award citizens who have performed acts of bravery to save lives or property.

The Order of Mendi for Bravery is a civilian honor in South Africa bestowed upon individuals who have displayed acts of bravery in endeavors to rescue lives or property. Authorized by the President of South Africa, this recognition is conferred upon South African citizens for their courageous actions, regardless of the location of the incident. Established on November 30, 2003, initially known as the Mendi Decoration for Bravery, it was later designated as an order on October 22, 2004.

The order pays homage to the SS Mendi, a troopship tragically sunk in 1917 following a collision, resulting in the loss of over 600 black South African troops. Despite being a civilian distinction, it has been presented to military units, including those involved in the rescue operations during the 1991 MTS Oceanos disaster and the 2000 Mozambican floods.

The Order of Mendi has three classes:

  • Gold (OMBG), for conspicuous bravery;
  • Silver (OMBS), for exceptional bravery; and
  • Bronze (OMBB), for outstanding bravery.

The Order of Mendi for Bravery Design

The insignia of the order is designed in the shape of a traditional African shield, oval in form. Its front side features an image of the SS Mendi, accompanied by a blue crane flying overhead. Above this depiction, a green emerald is sealed, encircled by depictions of the bitter aloe on three sides. Crossed assegai and knobkierrie adorn the background of the shield, while lion pawprints decorate the border.

The reverse side showcases the Coat of Arms of South Africa. Alongside the neck badge, the award includes a miniature medallion and a lapel rosette.

More South African Orders