UN Temporary Executive Authority (UNTEA)

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Description:

1. Established in October 1962 to maintain peace and security in the territory under the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority established by agreement between Indonesia and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. UNSF monitored the cease-fire and helped ensure law and order during the transition period pending transfer to Indonesia. Upon completion of the mandate, the Mission was withdrawn in April 1963.
2. Western New Guinea became the focus of a political dispute between the Netherlands and Indonesia following the recognition of the independence of the latter. The Indonesian side claimed the territory as its own while the Dutch side maintained that its residents were not Indonesian and that the Netherlands would continue to administer the territory until it was capable of self-determination.
3. Indonesia landed paratroops onto the territory of Western New Guinea in 1961 which prompted a political crisis between the Netherlands and Indonesia. The United Nations attempted to mediate in the dispute and this led to the signing of the New York Agreement in September 1962.
4. The agreement stipulated that the administration would pass from the Netherlands to a United Nations temporary authority on 1 October 1962 which would then transfer administration of the territory to Indonesia on 1 May the following year. The agreement also stated that the people of Western New Guinea would be able to participate in an Act of Free Choice at a later stage to determine the permanent status of the territory.
5. The United Nations mission (UNTEA) was initially led by José Rolz-Bennett of Guatemala and then by Djalal Abdoh of Iran who served as the Administrator. In addition to civil administration, UNTEA also had a peacekeeping role through military observers.
6. Nineteen postage stamps, as well as some postal stationery items, were issued by UNTEA. These were created by overprinting existing stocks of Netherlands New Guinea issues. At the time packets of all stamps were sold at UN Headquarters by the United Nations Postal Administration and they remain readily available on the retail market.
7. During the seven month transition period Dutch civil servants and officials were slowly recalled to the Netherlands and were replaced by local and Indonesian officials. It was agreed that following the transfer of authority, E. J. Bonay a member of the New Guinea Council would be appointed as the first Indonesian Governor.
8. The transfer of authority took place on 1 May 1963 and West New Guinea became a province of Indonesia known as Irian Barat, later renamed Irian Jaya.
9. This was the first time in its history that the United Nations assumed direct administrative responsibility for a territory. The United Nations would go on to undertake similar missions in Cambodia (UNTAC), Croatia (UNTAES), Kosovo (UNMIK) and East Timor (UNTAET).
10. Each United Nations mission for which an UNM is awarded is commemorated by a suspension and service ribbon of unique colors and design. The ribbon and medallion combination take on the name of the specific operation for which the combination was created. For example, the operation in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia is the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR), yielding the UNPROFOR Medal. Service members who are awarded an UNM may wear the first UNM with unique suspension and service ribbon for which they qualify. A bronze service star will denote subsequent awards of the UNM for service in a different United Nations mission. Only one United Nations ribbon is authorized for wear.

Background:

1. Presentation. The Senior Representative of the Secretary-General who makes the award normally makes presentation of the UNM in the field. Approval authority to accept and wear the UNM to member of the Armed Forces of the United States is the Secretary of Defense. When presentation is not so accomplished, any person who believes he or she is eligible for award may submit to Commander, USA HRC, (see CFR paragraph 578.3(c) for address) and a request for such award with copy of any substantiating documents. Commander, AHRC will forward each such request through the Office of Internal Administration, Office of the Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs, to the United Nations for consideration.
2. Medal. The medal is bronze, 13/8 inches in diameter, with a top view of the globe enclosed at sides and bottom by a wreath and the letters “UN” at the top of the medal. On the reverse side is the inscription “IN THE SERVICE OF PEACE”. The United Nations Service Medal Korea is the same design, except the obverse does not include the letters “UN” and the medal has a hanger bar with the inscription “KOREA”. On the reverse side of the United Nations Service Medal Korea is the inscription “FOR SERVICE IN DEFENCE OF THE PRINCIPLES OF THE CHARTER OF THE UNITED NATIONS”.
3. Ribbon. Each United Nations mission for which a UNM is awarded is commemorated by a suspension and service ribbon of unique colors and design. The ribbon and medallion combination take on the name of the specific operation for which the combination was created. For example, the operation in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia is the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR), yielding the UNPROFOR Medal. Service members who are awarded a UNM may wear the first UNM with unique suspension and service ribbon for which they qualify. A bronze service star will be worn to denote subsequent awards of the UNM for service in a different United Nations mission. Only one United Nations ribbon is authorized for wear.

The Office of the Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness maintains a list of "Approved Military Decorations and Awards" which is a roster of the approved Joint DoD awards and/or operations for which the medal is authorized.
This is the DoD Approved U.N. Missions and Actions approved award/operations. as of the date shown in the document. You may want to verify if it has been updated at The Office of the Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness (linked above)