Medal for Defence Service Abroad

The Medal for Defence Service Abroad () is a military medal of Norway. Established 1 January 1993, the medal was originally a participant medal awarded for service during military operations that took place in the 1990s. The subsequent establishment of the Medal for Defence Operations Abroad rendered this medal obsolete. However, in 2009 the medal was reintroduced as an achievement medal . The medal was awarded for distinguished bravery and courage, beyond what is normally required during combat operations. The medal's color was changed from bronze to gold, and the ribbons of the medal would vary, depending on the area of operations. During this period of award the medal was always awarded with a rosette. Finally, in 2012 the medal was further changed to a single ribbon design for all awards. The medal may be awarded with rosette for particularly meritorious distinction.
Criteria.
The Medal for Defence Service Abroad is awarded to Norwegian and foreign military personnel for exemplary bravery during active operations, as determined by Norwegian authorities. The medal is awarded by the Norwegian Chief of Defence and may be awarded posthumously. Recipients must have distinguished themselves by bravery and courage beyond what is normally required. The medal is awarded once, however multiple awards may be recognized by the wearing of a bar or rosette. Only three bars or rosettes may worn.
Re-established on 20 May 2009 the Medal for Defence Service Abroad was awarded as an achievement medal . The medal was awarded with rosette to Norwegian and foreign civilian and military personnel who participated in perilous and special military operations abroad.
Awarded as a participant medal, the Medal for Defence Service Abroad was awarded to both Norwegian and foreign civilian and military personnel who served abroad for at least two months on international service. In special cases, the medal was awarded with rosette.
Appearance.
The Medal for Defence Service Abroad is round, embossed in gold colored metal. On the obverse is a sword pointing up, with an oak branch on either side. On the reverse are the words "FOR DIN INNSATS" with oak branches above and below. The medal is suspended from a ribbon in the colours of the Flag of Norway and the Norwegian Armed Forces' colors. The ribbon is blue with red edges, the red edges are bordered in the inside by a thin white stripe. In the center is a stripe of light blue.