Talk:Australian Defence Medal

Latest comment: 3 years ago by 24.4.136.172 in topic Origin of the medal

Origin of the medal edit

This account was posted on a forum. If it can be verified, and sourced, it could improv the article.


Some time in 2005, US President George Walker Bush was having a dinner with Australian Prime Minister John Howard. Sitting at the table was an Australian Warrant Officer of 20 years service. He was not wearing any medals. 
Bush asked Howard how can a man with 20 years service, who hold the Queens Warrant, who had been in two Wars, not have a Medal.
Howard explained that we do not give Medals for serving, we only give medals for exceptional acts.
Well Bush was horrified. He lectured Prime Minister Howard and told him it was a disgrace that an Australian could serve a lifetime in the Military and not even get one single Medal.
So on that night, the Australian Defence Medal for Service was born. 
We call it the George Bush Medal (respectfully)
Its thanks to GWB that Australians who have served in non wartime can wear a Medal signifying their service.
We have a lot of time for President George Walker Bush.

24.4.136.172 (talk) 16:10, 1 May 2021 (UTC)Reply