Specimen clasp 'SOMALIA' for Australian Service Medal 1975 -

Specimen clasp 'SOMALIA' for the Australian Service Medal 1975 - .

The Australian Service Medal (1975 - ) was established in 1988 and introduced in 1991 to recognise service by Australian forces in peacekeeping and/or non-warlike operations not already being recognised by the award of an individual campaign medal. Operations considered for inclusion must have taken place after February 1975. The ASM cannot be issued without a clasp. The clasp 'Somalia' was approved for personnel having a minimum of 30 days service with UNISOM I or II (United Nations Operation in Somalia, I in 1992 and II in 1993-95) or UITAF (Unified Task Force in Somalia in Cambodia) between 17 October 1992 and 30 April 1993, engaged in peacekeeping and the protection of humanitarian aid arriving in the country. 264 were issued, but this clasp was also available to the Australian Active Service Medal for combat operations after January 1993.