Honours even as John Faulkner soldiers on (Gen. Petraeus decorated by Australia)

The Australian ^ | 5th November 2009 | Brad Norington

[naturalman1975]

IT was one of those excruciating moments in Australian politics.

Defence Minister John Faulkner last night gave US General David Petraeus one of Australia's highest honours, the Order of Australia, for his distinguished service against terrorism in the Iraq war.

Only six years ago, Senator Faulkner had opposed the war and challenged claims that Iraq posed a terrorist threat.

During a censure motion in parliament against the Howard government, he described the decision to send 2000 troops as "unilateral adventurism" and a "confidence trick".

It was a different story at the Australian ambassador's residence in Washington last night.

As a minister in the Rudd government, Senator Faulkner praised General Petraeus, the man responsible for the successful military surge in Iraq that gave him his promotion to chief of US Central Command.

"Tonight we recognise it was you, General Petraeus, who designed and implemented the strategy which delivered success in the war," Senator Faulkner said. "This award recognises your achievement."

The Defence Minister called General Petraeus a person of integrity and reputation who had "greatly strengthened the Australian and United States military relationship".

Senator Faulkner's spokesman was quick to acknowledge to The Australian last night that Labor had opposed the Iraq war.

"It was a deployment in which many Australian personnel took part and it's not something you shy away from when you're the new government," he said.

"These people work hard and diligently, and you can't criticise them for doing their job."

The nomination for General Petraeus to receive an honorary Order of Australia in the military division came from the Chief of Australia's Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston.

But it is understood it had the imprimatur of Kevin Rudd, who opposed the Iraq war as opposition foreign affairs spokesman.

[naturalman1975]

As a Member of the Order of Australia, I welcome Gen. Petraeus to our ranks.

The citation.

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Government House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
3 November 2009

The Governor-General is pleased to announce the following honorary appointment within the Military Division of the Order of Australia:

ORDER OF AUSTRALIA

Honorary Officer (AO) in the Military Division

General David H PETRAEUS, United States Army

For distinguished service to the International Coalition Against Terrorism as Commanding General, Multi-National Force Iraq from 26 January 2007 to 30 October 2008.

By Her Excellency’s Command

Stephen Brady
Official Secretary to the Governor-General

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General Petraeus led Coalition Forces, including Australian Defence Force members, to great effect in an exceedingly complex operational environment. Under General Petraeus’s guidance the Coalition gained tactical momentum that directly led to strengthened reconciliation efforts and a renewed focus on political reform, resulting in a reduction in violence, lessening casualties and a decrease in security incidents. This resulted in a safer environment for Australian forces in Iraq.

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[ASOC]

That is some swell bling. Is there an American equilivant? Legion of Merit - Officer perhaps?

[naturalman1975]

Commander of the Legion of Merit is probably the closest equivalent. The AO is a very high honour and represents the second tier of the Australian Honours system behind Companion of the Order and above Member of the Order.

[ASOC]

Interesting.

The medal itself is quite striking, is it hand made? I could not find anything more than the bits scattered about the Web...

[naturalman1975]

Partly machined, partly handmade. The Order of Australia comes in four (at one stage five) levels. The Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) is the most lowest level and the most common award. It is a cast medal made in the same way as most medals.

Members of the Order of Australia (AM) wear the same cast medal (now termed a badge) on a different shaped ribbob, but the crown on the medal is hand enamelled and some hand finishing is done.

Officers of the Order of Australia (AO) again wear the same cast medal (again termed a badge) but it is a neck order (worn around the neck rather than on the chest) and both the crown and the disc in the centre are hand enamelled, with a higher degree of hand finishing.

All of the above are gilt.

Companions of the Order (AC) have a badge made by jewellers in gold with the crown and disc enamelled, and adorned with citrines.

Knights of the Order (AK - no longer awarded but still held by those who received it in the past - there are three living recipients, two former Governors-General and the Prince of Wales) have a gold badge made by jewellers in gold with the crown and disc enamelled and a further enamelled representation of the Coat of Arms of Australia within the central disc. Again citrines are added to the badge by jewellers.

In situations when only medal ribbons are worn, all recipients of any level of the the order bear one of two ribbons - those who received their award in the military division have the ribbon edged in gold, those in the civil division have the same ribbon without gold edging, which has wattle flowers on a royal blue background (my profile page shows my ribbons and it's the first on those).

The OAM and the AM are fairly common. The AO and the AC are high distinctions.