History

The Medal for Overseas Service was established by decree in 1891 as the “Military Medal for Overseas Service.” It was awarded to Portuguese military personnel and civil servants in recognition of overseas service which benefited Portugal, civilisation, or humanity. It is believed to have been discontinued in 1974.

The Medal for Overseas Service underwent numerous changes in design, grades, and awarding statutes over its lifetime. From 1891-1893, it was awarded in a single category, but in 1893, it was expanded and awarded in two distinct categories, the Medal for Distinguished Overseas Service and the Medal for Medal for Assiduous Overseas Service. A third category, the Medal for Dedicated and Meritorious Overseas Service, was added in 1946.

The Copper Medal was awarded to overseas military personnel for more than 10 years of meritorious service or recognised meritorious actions, to auxiliary officials for more than 10 years of service, to civil servants for exceptional leadership and initiative, and to all individuals who risked their lives to saves property or others. The Copper Medal could be awarded multiple times to the same recipient.

There are two versions of Copper Medal. Both have a reverse inscription that translates to “Dedication and Merit, but they differ in the crest on the obverse.