History

The Royal Bahamas Defence Force Inauguration Medal was instituted on April 1, 1982, to recognize Bahamian nationals for their contributions towards the establishment and organization of the Force.

The award may be presented to any member of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, past or present, as well as citizens, who were influential in the Force’s development, as decided on by the Minister of Defence.

The Medal bears the Coat of the Arms of the Commonwealth on the obverse, and features an anchor emblem and shield bearing a depiction of Santa Maria on the reverse, with the inscription “ROYAL BAHAMAS DEFENCE FORCE 1979”. The Medal is suspended by a green and white striped ribbon and is to be worn on the left breast.