History

This medal was conferred in recognition of service in Operation Flash, an offensive against Serbian Forces conducted by the Croatian Army in May 1995.

It is associated with a solid white ribbon with a red stripe on the left and a blue stripe on the right.

The Medal for Participation in Operation Flash was founded on April 1, 1995 and awarded to those who participated in the operation. Operation Flash was a brief Croatian Army (HV) offensive conducted against the forces of the self-declared Republic of Serbian Krajina (RSK) from May 1-3, 1995. Operation Flash occurred in the later stages of the Croatian War of Independence and was the first major confrontation after ceasefire and economic cooperation agreements were signed between Croatia and the RSK in 1994.

The last organized RSK resistance formally ceased on May 3rd, with the majority of troops surrendering the next day near Pakrac, although mop-up operations continued for another two weeks. Operation Flash was a strategic victory for Croatia resulting in the capture of a 558-square-kilometre (215 sq mi) salient held by RSK forces centred in and around the town of Okučani. It is reported that 42 Croatian soldiers and police officers were killed and 162 wounded. RSK casualties are disputed, but it is estimated that between 188 and 283 Serbians were killed, 1200 wounded, 2100 taken as prisoners of war and between 11,500–15,000 became refugees