United Nations Good Offices Commission (UNGOC) in the Dutch East Indies
& United Nations Commission for Indonesia (UNCI).

Australian Deployment Dates: 1 August 1947 to 1 January 1949 (UNGOC). 1 January 1949 to 30 April 1951 (UNCI)

Strength: Approximately 45 ADF personnel (Total).

Area of Operations (AO): Dutch East Indies (Indonesia)

Purpose: UNCI was the first UN peacekeeping mission in which Australia was involved. The mission was established in 1947 as the Good Offices Commission (GOC). At the end of World War II, the Dutch sought to re-establish their rule in the then Netherlands East Indies but were resisted by the newly established Indonesian republic. Australia became involved in the mission in August 1947 when locally based diplomatic staff were seconded to the GOC to assist in the delineation and supervision of the ceasefire and repatriation of Dutch forces to the Netherlands. Later in August, four more Australians joined the mission as military observers and the commitment increased to 15 when the GOC became UNCI in 1949. The Australian force was withdrawn in April 1951.

Comments: The first ever Peacekeepers deployed, in which Australian Army Brigadier (L.G.H Dyke (RAA)), RAN Officer Commander H.S. Chesterman, Army Major D.L. Campbell, and RAAF Officer Squadron Leader D.T. Spence, DFC are noted as the first Australians and the world’s first ever UN peacekeepers to deploy into the field under the auspices of UNGOC.

Veteran Entitlement Act (VEA): Schedule 3; 1 August 1947 to 1 January 1949 (UNGOC). 1 January 1949 to 30 April 1951 (UNCI).

Service Type: Non-warlike.

Gazette: S274 of 18 Jul 96

Awards & Qualifying Periods:

• The Australian Service Medal (ASM) (1945-1975), with Clasp “INDONESIA”. Posted - 30 days; Visitor / TDY - 30 days.
• The United Nations Special Service Medal with Clasp “UNCI" or "UNGOC”. Force assigned - 90 days.

ASM 45 - 75	UN Special Service Medal

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