Background:
The Sultan’s Distinguished Service Medal (Midal Khidmat al-Mumtaza us-Sultaniya) was instituted by Sultan Said bin Taimur in 1967. Awarded for distingusihed service or devotion to duty over a long period, and for conspicuous acts of gallantry at risk of life, but not in the face of the enemy. British forces seconded to the Sultan of Oman’s Armed Forces who were decorated with this award were granted unrestricted permission by the Queen to wear the medal.
Design:
The circular medal, measuring 37mm in diameter, is manufactured in gilt cupro-nickel. The obverse bears in the centre the Omani coat of arms, being a crowned pair of crossed Omani swords in scabbards, a sheathed Khunjar with belt attachments, the emblem having engraved inscriptions in Arabic above and below. The reverse bears a central Arabic inscription, “gallantry”, surrounded by a palm laurel wreath. The medal is suspended from a straight bar suspender. The multi-coloured ribbon has a wide central red stripe, flanked on the right (as worn) with a sand coloured stripe bordered by two dark blue stripes, and on the left, by a green stripe bordered by two light blue stripes.
Bars:
Additional acts of bravery at the same level will be signified by the award of a bar worn across the ribbon.
Eligibility for membership of the League is for those awarded the medal for gallantry only.
