There is no greater sacrifice than to lay down one’s life for the Nation….
Story telling is important to nation building. The story of an Australian Defence Force member who has laid down their life for their nation and its people is a great story. We owe it to those selfless individuals to recognise their ‘ultimate sacrifice’ in service to the nation. An Australian Defence Force member's medals are supposed to reflect the story of their contributions to the nation. Each medal tells where that Defence member served, how many times they served there, and if they served with distinction. But nowhere does an Australian Defence Force member's current medal set reflect if that individual was Killed-In-Action and where. Therefore, the story of their service is incomplete. Any symbolic gesture to recognise the 'ultimate sacrifice' of a Defence member that is not directly linked to their service medals is tokenism.
It's all about the Defence member
An Australian Defence Force member Killed-In-Action should be honoured for their 'ultimate sacrifice' to the Nation. An identifying clasp 'KIA' on their medal set would appropriately reflect their ‘ultimate sacrifice’. This is completely separate to a 'Remembrance Pin' presented to their family, as a "keepsake" to be handed down through generations as a family’s connection with the Australian Defence Force. Honouring the Fallen who have made the 'ultimate sacrifice' in service to their nation builds national pride through commemoration.
Cost
Pledges have been tentatively made to help support the cost of 102,804 clasps for all Australian Defence Force members Killed-In-Action. Families of eligible recipients would submit a request for the Killed-In-Action clasp ('Wattle Clasp inscribed with the initials for Killed-In-Action') administered under the same guidelines that apply for other awards.
*This concept is the initiative of Kerry Danes in honour of his fallen comrades and all those who have served in the Australian Defence Force and who have been Killed-In-Action.
We call on the Australian Minister of Defence to officially recognise the 'ultimate sacrifice' of Australian Defence Force members who have been Killed-In-Action, those who have paid the ‘ultimate sacrifice’ in service to the nation.
We call on the Australian Government to officially approve the wearing of a Killed-In-Action clasp on the Campaign Medal relevant to the member's service at the time of death, or the Australian Active Service Medal (AASM) or Australian Operational Service Medal (AOSM).
