Can Aussies wear medals from other countries?
For this answer we have to leave Britain out as for many years Australia took part in the Imperial Honours Scheme for awards. That aside, NO, not without specific approval of the Australian Government. It is difficult to obtain. Men who were awarded medals by the Government of South Viet Nam in the 1960s were only granted approval to wear them 30 years later. The heroes of Long Tan were going to be awarded medals by the SVN Govt and the Australian Govt stopped it. They were given dolls instead. Men who were recommended for Australian awards for service at Long Tan were denied them so that senior officers would not miss out under the strict quota system that was in place. It seems that awards from major Allies like the US are more easily approved than minor Allies like SVN, particularly if the feeling is that the intending donor country tends to overdo things a bit. There is a fair degree of jealousy in the ranks of professional soldiers when it comes to awards. They can help a career e
