Soldiers can sport ‘family’ medals only in civvies

Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, July 23

While ex-servicemen and next of kin of armed forces personnel have been permitted to wear the medals awarded to their father or forefathers on specified occasions in addition to their own medals, serving armed forces personnel can now wear such medals only if they are in civilian dress.

Though there were no instructions on the wearing of “family medals” till now, there have been instances of some serving and retired personnel wearing their ancestors’ decorations on occasions like homage-paying ceremonies. A similar practice also exists in some other countries.

Recently, pictures of a serving senior Indian Army officer wearing the medals of his father during a memorial service in France had been doing the rounds of the social media. A similar picture of a former Army Chief was also posted online. Many families hold decorations, including gallantry awards, campaign medals and service recognitions that are over two centuries old. Some of these artifacts that have been won in battlefields overseas are highly prized.

Next of kin of ex-servicemen had expressed the need to honour the services of their forefathers by supporting his or her medals on specified occasions. According to a letter issued by the Adjutant General’s Branch a few days ago, the matter was examined and it was felt that this practice would instil a sense of pride among the next of kin, including second and third generation lineage.

“It has hence been decided that family medals may be worn on right of chest by next of kin of ex-servicemen when attending homage ceremonies at war memorials, cemeteries and funerals. Serving persons, if attired in formal civil dress when attending homage ceremonies, may also sport family medals,” the letter states.

Heretofore, provisions laid in the Regulations for the Army stipulate that medals are to be worn only by persons on whom these have been conferred, while serving or by ex-servicemen. If more than one set of medals in a family are available, only one set may be worn. The next of kin who can sport family medals include spouse, parents, forefathers and children.

OFFICIAL LETTER SAYS... 

Family medals may be worn on right of chest by next of kin of ex-servicemen when attending homage ceremonies at war memorials, cemeteries and funerals. Serving persons, if attired in formal civil dress when attending ceremonies, may also sport family medals.