The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that it is considering medallic recognition for the crew of HMS Diamond for their service between November 2023 and July 2024, a period that saw the destroyer engage in multiple live combat operations in the Red Sea.
The statement came in response to a written parliamentary question from Liberal Democrat MP Martin Wrigley (Newton Abbot) on 13 October.
Replying on behalf of the department, Parliamentary Under-Secretary Louise Sandher-Jones said that “medallic recognition for the operational activity undertaken by HMS Diamond during the period November 2023 and July 2024 is under consideration by the Ministry of Defence in accordance with the existing process.”
The process typically involves an assessment by the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals before any formal recommendation is made to the Defence Secretary and ultimately to the King.
HMS Diamond, a Type 45 air-defence destroyer, played a key role in international maritime operations following a series of Houthi attacks on commercial and naval vessels transiting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
In December 2023, Diamond shot down a suspected attack drone launched from Houthi-controlled Yemen using its Sea Viper missile system, marking the first time in decades that a Royal Navy ship had engaged an aerial target in combat.
The destroyer went on to repel multiple missile and drone barrages in January 2024, including one of the largest coordinated attacks ever mounted by the Houthis against Western naval forces.
Throughout the deployment, the ship was credited with downing nine hostile drones and an anti-ship ballistic missile while providing protection to international shipping and allied vessels, including the American container ship Maersk Yorktown.
The latter engagement marked the first ballistic missile interception by a Royal Navy vessel since the 1991 Gulf War. Equipped with the SAMPSON radar and Sea Viper missile system, HMS Diamond remains one of the Royal Navy’s most capable air-defence platforms.
I’m not sure ‘medallic’ is a word. Better to say the government is considering issuing a medal for service on HMS Diamond in the Red Sea.
That’s fine, but I am sure, hence why I included it.
OK. 🤔
Comments deleted George ?
It’s a word
“medallic” is a formal adjective adjective of or pertaining to medals”
Correct word correct usage.
Considering the level of action, threat to the ship and crew, it would seem a medal was appropriate, but I would say the Crew of HMS Richmond would also seem to deserve a campaign medal if that was the case as she directly replaced Diamond and also engaged and destroyed air threats.