THE PIONEER CROSS / THE NZ CROSS OF MERIT
THE LEGION DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
When this award was concieved it was meant to be the most prestigeous medal awardable by the New Zealand Command, and when worn was to take presidence over all other NZ Command awards.
Only a very small number of these medals were awarded before it was taken off the books in 1984 for reasons unknown, and replaced with an almost identical New Zealand Cross of Merit
The design of these two awards was the same, a silver cross patee 36mm wide and bearing in the centre the Legion badge surrounded by a laurel wreath, the reverse of the medals being blank for the inscribing of the recipients details
The ribbon was identical to that of the wartime Pacific Star except that the central stripe was white and not yellow. The award was to be sespended from a buckle type clasp to the uniform.
The Pioneer Cross is recognisable by the words PIONEER CROSS on the medal suspension bar and the NZ Cross of Merit by the letter N.Z.C.M i=on the suspension bar
It appears that this award went into disuse not long after it was instigated and very few were awarded
In the changes that were to take place in 1995-6 the Legion Distinguished Service Cross was instigated by the then Commandant General. This award was to be the new premiere award for the legion. The ribbon was dark green and the suspension was a single narrow bar. Only two members were ever awarded this medal
At the 2006 Conference there was remitted a set of regulations for the reinstatement of the NZ Pioneer Cross, as mentioned below. This was done after the original dies were located for the first Pioneer Cross
AWARDEES
Pioneer Cross
913 Douglas John BAKER
20972 James WF CLEVELY
801 David S FUNNELL
NZ Cross of Merit
913 Douglas John BAKER
Legion Distinguished Service Cross
1106 Raymond HAMMOND
1242 Charles O'Neil SOMMERVILLE
NZ Pioneer Cross (2006)
3019 Donald P NELSON
THE NEW ZEALAND PIONEER CROSS
Regulations1The Legion of Frontiersmen (New Zealand) Command has reinstitutedthe New Zealand Pioneer Cross in order to recognise exceptional andexemplary service to the New Zealand Command2The award will be properly known as the "New Zealand Pioneer Cross"which is described as a silver Maltese cross 32mm in diameter with a centralrepresentation of the Legion Badge.3The Medal is suspended from a bar suspension and a 36mm ribbon stillto be designed.4The Medal will be worn on the left breast pocket of the Legion Uniform in accordance with the New Zealand Command Order of Wear.5The recipient will be entitled to the post nominal "NZCP". 6There shall be no more than one award made in any one calendar year. No more than 5 members of NZ Command can be holders of this award at any one time. Years of non-issue cannot be accumulated.
There shall be no more than one award made in any one calendar year. No more than 5 members of NZ Command can be holders of this award at any one time. Years of non-issue cannot be accumulated.7In uniform when ribbons only are worn, the wearing of a ribbon bar shall denote the award.
In uniform when ribbons only are worn, the wearing of a ribbon bar shall denote the award.8Those to whom the Medal is awarded may wear Miniature Medals on appropriate occasions.
Those to whom the Medal is awarded may wear Miniature Medals on appropriate occasions. 9Subject to these Regulations, the New Zealand Pioneer Cross is awarded by the Commandant, upon the recommendation of a Unit Commander, to a person, who is a member of the Legion of Frontiersmen (New Zealand) Command, and who has rendered continuous and exceptional service to the New Zealand Command for a minimum period of twenty years
Subject to these Regulations, the New Zealand Pioneer Cross is awarded by the Commandant, upon the recommendation of a Unit Commander, to a person, who is a member of the Legion of Frontiersmen (New Zealand) Command, and who has rendered continuous and exceptional service to the New Zealand Command for a minimum period of twenty yearsGeneral rules on award of te NZ Command
1The Commandant New Zealand Command may, by order under his hand, reinstate, cancel,
The Commandant New Zealand Command may, by order under his hand, reinstate, cancel, or annul any award to a member of the Legion of Frontiersmen (NZ) Command by recommendation of an Appeals Board, or other such committee empowered to investigate the awardees for the command, with the exception of the Gold Pioneer Axe.
2Every Award made or revoked will be notified in Routine orders. (Journal)
Every Award made or revoked will be notified in Routine orders. (Journal) 3There will be no post nominal to any award except the Gold Pioneer Axe, Pioneer Axe, and Pioneer Cross
There will be no post nominal to any award except the Gold Pioneer Axe, Pioneer Axe, and Pioneer Cross 4No award shall be made to a member who has been convicted of any criminal offence in a civil court or Military Tribunal, during that time being accumulated for the award
No award shall be made to a member who has been convicted of any criminal offence in a civil court or Military Tribunal, during that time being accumulated for the award5When a second and/or subsequent award of a medal is made, the multiple award shall be indicated; on the suspension ribbon of the original award by the wearing of a silver metal bar 32mm wide with a representation of a Mural Crown thereon. When ribbons only are worn, by the wearing of a silver star device centrally on the ribbon.
When a second and/or subsequent award of a medal is made, the multiple award shall be indicated; on the suspension ribbon of the original award by the wearing of a silver metal bar 32mm wide with a representation of a Mural Crown thereon. When ribbons only are worn, by the wearing of a silver star device centrally on the ribbon.
