History

The Australian Active Service Medal 1945-1975 was introduced on 11 December 1977 to recognise the service of the Australian Defence Force in warlike conflicts after the Second World War and prior to February of 1975. Military service after this date is awarded with the Australian Active Service Medal that was introduced in 1988.

Numerous clasps are awarded alongside the medal to denote which military operation(s) an individual participated in. The clasps include: Korea, Malaya, Malaysia, Thailand, Thai-Malay, and Vietnam. In order to be eligible for the Medal, an individual had to have rendered at least one day of active service in the previously listed operations.

The obverse of the medal features the Federation Star surrounded by inscription ‘THE AUSTRALIAN ACTIVE SERVICE MEDAL 1945-1975’. The reverse of the medal features a wreath of golden wattle branches. The Crown of St. Edwards is surmounted above the medallion.