Samoa (ex-Western Samoa)

[JDM]

SAMOA

Independent State of Western Samoa (1962 until 1999)

Some Act (to authorise awards - no details) approx. 1977

1. Poloaiga Tutasi a Vailima 1977-1992 or 1999?

The Grand Order of Vailima Sash about 100mm ? red/white/blue (45/10/45mm) ???

Specially instituted in order to award to H.M. Queen Elizabeth II in 1977.

The Merit Act 1992/1993

1. Pine Taualoa a le Susuga Malietoa Tanumafili II (M.T.II D.S.O.)

The Malietoa Tanumafili II Distinguished Service Order (Inst. 1993 Obsolete 1999)

2. Pine Taualoa o Tiafau a Samoa i Sisifo (W.S.O.T.)

The Western Samoa Order of Tiafau (Inst. 1993-1999, & today as S.O.T. 1999-)

This is the highest Order that Samoa can bestow on non-citizens. Possable ribbon green/white/blue ?

3. Pine Taualoa o le Tautua Maoae i Tomai Faapitoe (W.S.O.M.)

The Western Samoa Order of Merit (Inst. 1993-1999 & today as O.M. 1999-

4. Tusi Taualoa Faamaonia o le Galuega us maualuga Iona Tauleleia (W.S.C.E.)

The Western Samoa Certificate of Excellence (Inst. 1993-1999) (no ribbon)

INDEPENDENT STATE OF SAMOA 1999-

1999 O Tulaga Momalu ma Faailonga Taualoa Nu. 20

(THE HONOURS & AWARDS ACT 1999, No. 20 (25th August, 1999)

1. Poloaiga Tutasi a Samoa - Tulaga Faapitoa (G.O.S.)

The Grand Order of Samoa 1999 - Special Class of Grand Collar

(Awarded to His Highness, The Ao o le Malo, (Head of State) only)

2. Poloaiga Sili a Samoa (no post-nominal letters)

The Order of Samoa - Poloaiga Sili a Samoa 1999

3. Poloaiga a Samoa - Tulaga Muamua (O.S.)

The Order of Samia 1999 - First Class Neck ribbon (similar to Officer, see below)

4. Poloaiga Faapaaga a Samoa - Tulaga Lua (C.O.S.)

Companion of the Order of Samoa 1999 - Second Class Neck ribbon (see Officer below)

5. Pine Taualoao Tiafau a Samoa (S.O.T.)

The Samoa Order of Tiafau (1993) 1999 possable colour (similar to O.S.) green/white/blue ? same width as Officer ?

(The highest award for a non-citizen, the State can bestow)

6. Poloaiga mo Galuega Maoae ma le Taulelela (O.M.)

The Order of Merit (1993) 1999

7. Ofisa o le Poloaiga a Samoa - Tulaga Tolu (O.S.) Note this is the same as above, as it was on the original document.

Officer of the Order of Samoa 1999 - Third Class Neck Ribbon, 45mm blue/white/red (approx. 19/7/19mm)

8. Sui o le Poloaiga a Samoa - Tulaga Fa (M.S.)

Member of the Order of Samoa - Forth Class possibly similar to Officer

9. Poloaiga a le Ao o le Malo Tautua (H.S.S.O.)

The Head of State's Service Order 1999

10. Pine a le Ao o le Malo le Tautua (H.S.S.M.)

The Head of State's Service Medal 1999

11. Koluse e Malietoa (M.C.)

The Malietoa Cross 1999

12. Koluse a Samoa (S.C.)

The Samoa Cross 1999

13. Pine Taualoa a Samoa (S.M.H.)

The Samoa Medal of Honour 1999

14 Pine a le Ao o le Malo mo le Lototoa (H.S.M.V.)

The Head of State's Medal of Valour 1999

It is now 34 years since the Western Samoa Decorations were introduced in 1977,

is there anyone out there with some information, or do we go to Samoa?

There is nothing on their website, so far. but I did get a photo of the Officer's neck ribbon, hence the details.

JDM

[Megan]

From my archives, Samoan regulations as of 1999: -

SAMOA

Honours and Awards

1999, No.20

Arrangement of Provisions

1. Short title and commencement

2. Interpretation

3. Administration of Act

4. Conferring of awards

5. General qualification for awards

6. Description of awards

7. Grant Order of Samoa- Special Class

8. Order of Samoa- Poloaiga Sili a Samoa

9. Order of Samoa- First Class

10. Companion of the Order of Samoa- Second Class

11. Order of Merit

12. Officer of the Order of Samoa- Third Class

13. Member of the Order of Samoa- Fourth Class

14. Head of State’s Service Order

15. Head of State’s Service Medal

16. Malietoa Cross

17. Samoa Cross

18. Samoa Medal of Honour

19. Head of State’s Medal of Valour

20. Posthumous awards

21. Meaning of “field of endeavour”

22. Privileges attaching to awards

23. Honours Committee

24. Functions of the Committee

25. Recommendations for awards

26. Style and costs of award

27. Monetary payments

28. Honorary awards

29. Lost awards

30. Revocation of awards for misconduct

31. Offences

32. Regulations

33. Repeal and savings

----------------------------------------------------------------

AN ACT to repeal the Merit Act 1992/1993, No.3 and to consolidate the system for the conferring of awards in recognition of meritorious service to Samoa or acts of

bravery.

[25th August 1999]

BE IT ENACTED by the Legislative Assembly of Samoa in Parliament assembled as follows:-

1. Short title and commencement-(1) This Act may be cited as the Honours and Awards Act 1999.

(2) This Act shall come into force on the date it is assented to by the Head of State.

2. Interpretation - In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:

"Awards" means an award described in section 6 of this Act:

"Civil Service" means service of Samoa in any capacity, and includes service in the private and religious sectors:

"Committee" means the Honours Committee established under section 23 of this Act:

"Department" means the Prime Minister's Department.

3. Administration of Act - This Act shall be administered in the Prime Minister's Department and that Department shall provide the administrative, executive and secretarial services for the Committee.

4. Conferring of awards - The Head of State, acting on the advice of Cabinet, may by Order confer or grant awards in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

5. General qualification for awards-(1) Subject to subsection (2) and to section 10(1)(b), no person shall be eligible to receive an award unless at the time of the conferring of that award he is a citizen of Samoa.

(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply to honorary awards made under section 28.

6. Description of awards-(1) Awards shall be classified as follows -

(a) Awards for civil service; and

(b) Awards for bravery and gallantry.

(2) The awards for civil service, in order of precedence, shall be -

(a) Grand Order of Samoa - Special Class (G.O.S.);

(b) Order of Samoa - Poloaiga Sili a Samoa;

© Order of Samoa-First Class (O.S.);

(d) Companion to the Order of Samoa - Second Class (C.O.S.);

(e) Order of Merit (O.M.);

(f) Officer of the Order of Samoa - Third Class (O.S.);

(g) Member of the Order of Samoa - Fourth Class (M.S.);

(h) Head of State's Service Order (H.S.S.O.);

(i) Head of State's Service Medal (H.S.S.M.).

(3) The awards for bravery and gallantry, in order of precedence, shall be –

(a) Malietoa Cross (M.C.);

(b) Samoa Cross (S.C.);

© Samoa Medal of Honour (S.M.H.);

(d) Head of State's Medal for Valour (H.S.M.V.).

(4) The letters in parentheses in subsections (2) and (3) do not form part of the names of the awards, but where an award is expressed in written form it may be described by the appropriate letters as they appear in those subsections.

7. Grand Order of Samoa - Special Class-(1) The Grand Order of Samoa - Special Class, shall be the state badge of office, symbolizing the tenure of the highest public office in Samoa.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), the Head of State shall by virtue of his office and during his tenure be the only holder of this Order, and upon his death while in office or upon his retirement, it shall be handed down to his successor.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (2), His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II, Head of State of the Independent State of Samoa, shall be the only recipient who shall retain this Order forever, as a tribute to his long and dedicated service to the State and to the people of Samoa.

8. Order of Samoa - Poloaiga Sili a Samoa-(1) The Order of Samoa - Poloaiga Sili a Samoa shall be the nation's highest meritorious award, and may be conferred on persons who have made a paramount contribution to the State and to the People, life and culture of Samoa on the national or international level, and which deserves the highest recognition of the people of Samoa.

(2) Subject to section 28, at no time shall more than 2 living persons be the holders of the Order of Samoa - Poloaiga Sili a Samoa.

9. Order of Samoa - First Class-(1) The Order of Samoa - First Class may be conferred on-persons who have made an outstanding contribution to the State and to the people, life and culture of Samoa on the national or international level.

(2) Subject to section 28, at no time shall more than 10 living persons be the holders of the Order of Samoa - First Class.

10. Companion of the Order of Samoa - Second Class-(1) The Companion of the Order of Samoa - Second Class may be conferred on -

(a) Persons who have made an exceptionally important contribution to the State and to the people, life and culture of Samoa, on the national or international level; and

(b) Those persons who are or have been leaders of corporations (whether foreign or domestic), or who are or have been leaders of foreign states or organisations, in recognition of lengthy and valuable service help and friendship afforded to Samoa by those corporations, states or organisations, or by those leaders.

(2) Subject to section 28, at no time shall more than 10 living persons be holders of the Companion of the Order of Samoa - Second Class.

11. Order of Merit-(1) The Order of Merit may be conferred on -

(a) Persons who have rendered outstanding meritorious service for Samoa in the domestic or international spheres; and

(b) Persons who have made exceptional contributions towards the advancement of any field of endeavour, but with particular emphasis on the arts, learning, literature, science and religion, in the domestic or international spheres, and which is of benefit directly or indirectly to Samoa.

(2) Subject to section 28, at no time shall more than fifteen (15) living persons be holders of the Order of Merit.

12. Officer of the Order of Samoa - Third Class-(1) The Officer of the Order of Samoa - Third Class may be conferred on -

(a) Persons who have made highly significant and meritorious contributions to Samoa; and

(b) Persons who have excelled in any field of endeavour, domestically and internationally, and which is of benefit, directly or indirectly to Samoa or which brings credit to Samoa.

(2) Subject to section 28, at no time shall more than fifteen (15) living persons be holders of the Officer of the Order of Samoa - Third Class.

13. Member of the Order of Samoa - Fourth Class-(1) The Member of the Order of Samoa - Fourth Class may be conferred on -

(a) Persons who have made meritorious contributions to Samoa; and

(b) Persons who have excelled in any field of endeavour domestically, and which is of benefit directly or indirectly to Samoa, or which brings credit to Samoa.

(2) Subject to section 28 at no time shall more than fifteen (15) living persons be holders of the Member of the Order of Samoa.

14. Head of State's Service Order-(1) There shall be two (2) divisions of the Head of State's Service Order as follows –

(a) For Community Service; and

(b) For Public Services.

(2) The Head of State's Service Order for Community Service may be conferred on persons in recognition of their unique and valuable contributions to their village, district or township, or for their high achievement in any field of endeavour.

(3) The Head of State's Service Order for Public Services may be conferred on persons who have made meritorious contributions, or given long service with exemplary conduct to the Government of Samoa.

(4) Subject to section 28, at no time shall more than twenty (20) living persons be holders of the Head of State's Service Order.

15 . Head of State's Service Medal-(1) There shall be two (2), divisions of the Head of States Service Medal as follows –

(a) For Community Service; and

(b) For Public Services.

(2) While the criteria for the grant of the Head of State's Service Medal in either division are similar to those set out in subsections (2) and (3) of section 14, a Medal awarded under this section may be granted to those persons who in the opinion of the Honours Committee have achieved a highly valuable accomplishment in any field of endeavour, or who have provided long service to Samoa with good conduct.

(3) Subject to section 28, at no time shall more than twenty (20), Head of State's Service Medals be awarded in any calendar year.

16. Malietoa Cross - The Malietoa Cross may be awarded only for acts of the greatest heroism and of supreme bravery in the face of the enemy, or for some daring and pre-eminent act of valour and self-sacrifice in circumstances of extreme danger.

17. Samoa Cross - The Samoa Cross may be awarded for acts of the greatest valour entailing the display of exceptional courage in circumstances of extraordinary danger, where there is a total disregard for personal loss of life and limb.

18. Samoa Medal of Honour - The Samoa Medal of Honour may be awarded for acts of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extraordinary danger involving potential loss of life or limb.

19. Head of State's Medal for Valour - The Head of State's Medal for Valour may be awarded for acts of extraordinary courage in circumstances of very great danger.

20. Posthumous awards - The awards described in sections 8, 16 and 17 of this Act may be made posthumously.

21. Meaning of "Field of endeavour" - For the purposes of this Act, "Field of endeavour" includes -

(a) Work in the service of Samoa;

(b) Service as a Member of Parliament or as a Minister of State;

© Service as a member of an organisation dedicated to the welfare of Samoa or Samoans;

(d) Service as a member of an ecclesiastical or religious body;

(e) Work as a self-employed person;

(f) Work as an employee;

(g) Work as a volunteer;

(h) Participation in any academic activity;

(i) Engaging in any literary activity;

(j) Participation in fine arts, visual arts or performing arts;

(k) Engaging in any craft;

(l) Performance as a sports representative; and

(m) Any other activity prescribed by regulation as a field of endeavour.

22. Privileges attaching to awards-(1) Every holder of an award shall have the right to be invited to attend all Government functions, and to wear his ribbon and medal on every such occasion, and may at any other time wear a miniature replica of the medal or ribbon.

(2) Every holder of an award may, after any printed or written form of his name, add the appropriate letters denoting the award which he holds.

(3) Holders of awards shall have such other entitlements and privileges as may be prescribed by regulation.

(4) For the purposes of this section, "award" includes an honorary award.

23. Honours Committee-(1) There is hereby constituted a Committee to be known as the Honours Committee.

(2) The Committee shall consist of six (6) members as follows -

(a) The Secretary to Cabinet, who shall be Chairman;

(b) The Secretary to the Prime Minister's Department;

© The Secretary for Internal Affairs;

(d) Three persons appointed by the Head of State, acting on the advice of Cabinet, one of whom shall represent -

(i) the private sector;

(ii) the ecclesiastical and religious denominations; and

(iii) the chiefs and orators of Samoa.

(3) Members appointed under subsection (2)(d) shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years and are eligible for reappointment for a further term or terms.

(4) The Committee shall determine its own procedure in all matters.

(5) Members of the Committee may be paid such remuneration and allowances as Cabinet may from time to time determine.

24. Functions of the Committee - The functions of the Honours Committee shall be to -

(a) Consider persons from all areas of Samoa and overseas who may be eligible for awards or honorary awards, and to recommend to Cabinet the granting of an award to any of such persons where it considers that an award is justified; and

(b) Continuously review the suitability, where appropriate of persons who have received awards previously for the purpose of recommending to Cabinet the granting to them of higher or other awards, as the case may be.

25. Recommendations for awards - Recommendations for ,awards shall be made in writing by the Committee to Cabinet.

26. Style and cost of awards-(1) Each award shall comprise -

(a) A certificate given under the hand of the Head of State and sealed with the Public Seal of Samoa;

(b) A medal with or without a ribbon as the Honours Committee may determine; and

© A miniature of the medal and ribbon, as the case may be.

(2) Medals, ribbons, certificates and miniature replicas shall be of such design as shall be approved by the Head of State by Order, acting on the advice of Cabinet.

(3) The cost of the design, fabrication and conferring of the awards and all costs incidental thereto (including remuneration and allowances made pursuant to section 23 together with the monetary payments made in accordance with section 27) shall be statutory expenditure and shall be paid out of the Treasury Fund without further appropriation.

27. Monetary payments - The following monetary payments shall accompany the granting of an award -

(a) To a person who has been awarded the Malietoa Cross, the sum of $2,000.00.

(b) To a person who has been awarded the Samoa Cross, the sum of $2,000.00.

28. Honorary awards-(1) Subject to section 5, where the Head of State, acting on the advice of Cabinet, is satisfied that a person merits the receipt of an award under this Act, and that person is not a citizen of Samoa, he may by Order confer an honorary award on that person.

(2) Honorary awards may be made for all awards under this Act other than the Grand Order of Samoa, and there shall be no limitations as to the number of honorary awards that may be granted or conferred under this section.

29. Lost awards - Where the holder of an award has lost his medal, ribbon, miniature replica or certificate, he may obtain a duplicate from the Prime Minister's Department upon paying the reasonable cost, which shall be fixed by the Secretary to the Prime Minister's Department.

30. Revocation of awards for misconduct - The Head of State acting on the advice of Cabinet, may by Order revoke an award conferred or granted under this Act on the ground that the holder has committed an act or acts of gross or serious misconduct such as to bring into disrepute the dignity and honour of the award.

31. Offences - Any person who wears any medal, ribbon or miniature replica to which he is not entitled, or who in any way holds himself out, or permits or suffers himself to be held out as the holder of an award which he does not hold, commits an offence and upon conviction is liable to a fine not exceeding ten (10) penalty units, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve (12) months.

32. Regulations - The Head of State, acting on the advice of Cabinet, may make such regulations as may in his opinion be necessary or expedient for giving full effect to the provisions of this Act.

33. Repeal and savings-(1) The Merit Act 1992/1993 is repealed.

(2) Upon the commencement of this Act, any Order, award or certificate (including any honorary award) conferred or granted under the Merit Act 1992/1993 shall continue to retain its validity, status and recognition under the laws of Samoa.

(3) Any Order, honour or award (including any honorary award,) other than those referred to in subsection (2), that may have been conferred or granted by the Government of Samoa shall continue to retain its validity, status and recognition under the laws of Samoa.

[Megan]

John has just sent me this image of the Grand Order of Samoa, which is the Head of State insignia rather than a proper order.

He says he's got some more information to post soon

[JDM]

Western Samoa

THE MERIT ACT 1992/1993

THE MALIETOA TANNUMAFILI II DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER - M.T.II.D.S.O.

Inst. 1993 abolished 1999

40mm Neck Ribbon of red, white and dark-blue, 16/8/16mm

This Order was posthumously awarded 3 times on 1st June 1993 to

His Highness, the Late, Paramount Chief Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole, C.B.E.,

Joint Head of State 1st Jan. 1962 to his death in April 1963.

The Honourable, the Late, Paramount Chief, Mata'afa Fiame Faumuina Mulinu'u II C.B.E.

1st Prime Minister of Western Samoa 1959 to 1970 and 1973 to his death in 1975

The Honourable, the Late Paramount Chief Tuimaleali'ifano Suatipatipa II

The only appointed member of the Council of Deputies 1962 to his death in 1974

THE WESTERN SAMOA ORDER OF TIAFAU - W.S.O.T.

Inst. 1993 abolished 1999

40mm Neck-Ribbon of red, white and dark-blue as above.

This order was awarded on 1st June 1993 to religious leaders, with 2 honorary awards.

THE WESTERN SAMOA ORDER OF MERIT - W.S.O.M.

Inst. 1993 abolished 1999

40mm Neck-Ribbon of red, white and dark-blue, as above.

Source, Kalala Teo, Ministry of The Prime Minister & Cabinet,

Government of Samoa, Apia. 13th March 2014

JDM

[JDM]

HONOURS AND AWARDS ACT No. 20 1999, 25th August 1999; & Consolidated Acts of Samoa 2008

All ribbons are in the same colours (as before under Western Samoa) of red, white and dark-blue, but of different widths.

THE GRAND ORDER OF SAMOA (Special Class) - G.O.S.

Poloa'iga Tutasi a Samoa (Tulaga Faapitoa)

This Special Class "shall be the State badge of office, symbolizing the tenure of the highest public office in Samoa"

consists of a Collar, only worn by His Highness, The Head of State. The Collar-Badge is a white disc with a

white enameled five-pointed upright star, edged in red, the central medallion is unclear from the photo, but could

have the Samoan coat of arms on it.

THE ORDER OF SAMOA - POLOA'IGA SILI A SAMOA (no post-nominal letters)

Poloa'iga Sili a Samoa

This is the highest meritorious award which is limited to two living members.

No details are known, but could be a Collar only.

THE ORDER OF SAMOA (First Class) - O.S.

Poloa'iga a Samoa (Tulaga Muamua)

This class "may be conferred on persons who have made an outstanding contrubution to the State and to the people.

life and culture of Samoa on the national or international level" and is limited to 10 living holders.

The Neck-Badge is about 70mm wide, a gold disc charged with an embossed hand and arm, holding a flag-pole

(both in gold) and the National Flag of Samoa in red, white and dark-blue enamel, (the Samoan flag is red, with five

white stars of the Southern Cross on a dark-blue canton), around the edge of the disc is a dark-blue enameled border

edged gold, with the English words "ORDER OF SAMOA" above, and a spray of leaves below, both in gold.

The Neck-Ribbon is 40mm, red, white, dark-blue, 16/8/16mm, there is also a Breast Medal with a 40mm ribbon.

COMPANION OF THE ORDER OF SAMOA (Second Class) - C.O.S.

Pa'aga a le Poloa'iga a Samoa (Tulaga Lua)

This class may be conferred on "persons who have made an outstanding contrubution to the State and to the people,

life and culture of Samoa, on the national or international level; and

"Those persons who are or have been leaders of corporations (whether foreign or domestic), or who are or have been

leaders of foreign states or organisations, in recognition of lengthy and valuable service help and friendship afforded to

Samoa by those corpotations, states or organisations, or by those leaders". This class is limited to 10 living holders.

The Neck-Badge is about 70mm, the ribbon and badge are the same as above, except the border of the badge has

"COMPANION OF THE ORDER OF SAMOA" in gold letters only.

There is also a Breast Medal, the ribbon is the same as above.

THE ORDER OF MERIT - O.M.

Poloa'iga mo Galuega Maoa'e ma le Ta'uleleia

"For rendering outstanding meritorious service for Samoa in the domestic or international spheres, for exceptional

contrubutions towards the advancement of any field of endeavor but with particular emphasis on the arts, learning,

litriture, science and religion which is of benefit directly or indirectly to Samoa", and is limited to 15 living holders.

The Neck-Badge is about 70mm, in gold, it is divided into 3 gold embossed parts, with the coat of arms of Samoa (top)

the Constitution Book (left) and the Torch of Freedom (right). The green enameled border has the gold letters

"ORDER OF MERIT" (above) and "SAMOA" (below).

The 40mm Neck-Ribbon is the same as above, and there is the usual Breast Medal.

OFFICER OF THE ORDER OF SAMOA (Third Class) - O.O.S.

Ofisa o le Poloa'iga a Samoa (Tulaga Talu)

"For significant and meritorious contrubutions to Samoa in any field of endeavour domestically and internationally,

and which is of benefit directly or indirectly to Samoa." This class is limited to 15 living holders.

The Neck-Badge is the same as above except the dark-blue border has the gold letters "OFFICER OF THE ORDER

OF SAMOA". The 40mm ribbon and Breast Medal are the same as above.

MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF SAMOA (Forth Class) - M.O.S.

Sui o le Poloa'iga a Samoa (Tulaga Fa)

"For meritorious contrubutions in any field of endeavour, domestically and which is of benefit directly or indirectly to Samoa"

The Neck-Badge is similar to the above, except that it has the words "MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF SAMOA", which seem

to be in bronze on the border. Both ribbons are about 35mm, 14/7/14mm.

THE HEAD OF STATE'S SERVICE ORDER - H.S.S.O.

Poloa'iga a le Ao o le Malo mo le Tautua

"There shall be two divisions:

"(a) For Community Service; may be copnferred on persons in recognition of their unique and valuable contrubutions to

their villages, district or township, or for their high achievement in any field of endeavour.

"(b) For Public Service; may be conferred on persons who have made meritorious contrubutions, or given longservice

with exemplary conduct to the Government of Samoa". Limited to 20 living holders.

Details of the Neck-Insignia is unknown. The ribbon is probably 40mm wide as above.

THE HEAD OF STATE'S SERVICE MEDAL - H.S.S.M.

Pine a le Ao o le Malo mo le Tautua

"There shall be two divisions:

"(a) For Community Service; may be granted similar to that of the H.S.S.O. above, who in the opinion of the

Honours Committee have achieved a highly valuable accomplishment in any field of endeavour.

"(b) For Public Service; may be granted similar to that of the H.S.S.O. above, who have provided long

service to Samoa with good conduct". 20 People can be granted this medal in any calendar year.

The details of this medal are unknown. the ribbon is approx. 30mm wide in the same colours as above, 12/6/12mm.

THE MALIETOA CROSS - M.C.

Koluse a Malietoa

"This may be awarded only for acts of the greatest heroism and of supreme bravery in the face of the enemy,

or for some daring and pre-eminent act of valour and self-sacrifice in circumstances of extreme danger".

The gold Neck-Badge (is a disc) charged with a white enamel Maltese cross, the central gold medallion has the

embossed head of His Highness, Malietoa Tanumafili II. A red enamelled border, edged in gold, has the gold letters

"MALIETOA" (above) and "CROSS" (below). The 40mm Neck-Ribbon and Medal are the same as above.

THE SAMOA CROSS - S.C.

Koluse a Samoa

"May be awarded for acts of the greatest valour entailing the display of exceptional courage in circumstances of

extraordinary danger, where there is a total disregard for personal loss of life and limb"

The details of this cross are unknown, but could have the same 40mm ribbon as the M.C. above.

THE SAMOA MEDAL OF HONOUR - S.M.H.

Pine Taualoa a Samoa

"May be awarded for acts of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extraordinary danger involving

potential loss of life or limb". Details of this medal are unknown, it could have a 30mm ribbon as above.

THE HEAD OF STATE'S MEDAL OF VALOUR - H.S.M.V.

Pine a le Ao o le Malo mo le Lototoa

"May be awarded for acts of extraordinary courage in circumstances of very great danger"

Details of this medal are unknown, the ribbon could be 30mm as above.

POSTHUMOUS AWARDS

These can be made, except for G.O.S., M.C. and S.C.

Source, as the Merit Act above.

JDM

[gongz]

Try these for size, literally! All approx 7cm diameter and 7mm thick. Uniface and very heavy bronze.

[Megan]

Nice. Gongz, any chance that you'd let me use those on my website? With acknowledgement, of course.

[gongz]

What took you so long.....? lol 'course you can.....

G.

[JDM]

As we can now see, the Samoan Government contact was not entirely correct when he told me that the current ribbons were used for the now

defunct Western Samoa Awards. The design is the same, the only difference is some of the wording and a different ribbon for the Order of Tiafau.

MERIT ACT OF 1992/3

THE MALIETOA TANUMAFILI II DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER - M.T.II.D.S.O.

A gold disc with the embossed head of H.H. Malietoa Tanumafili II, within a disc, the outer part in the shape of a cross.

The red border has "MALIETOA TANNUMAFILI II" (top) and "DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER" (bottom) in gold lettering.

The Neck-Ribbon is 40mm, in red, white and dark-blue, 16/8/16mm.

THE WESTERN SAMOA ORDER OF TIAFAU - W.S.O.T.

A gold disc with the same flag (with the "Southern Cross" stars in gold), and embossed details as the current Order.

the dark-blue border has "ORDER OF TIAFAU" (top) and "WESTERN SAMOA" (bottom) in gold letters.

The 40mm Neck-Ribbon is red, white and dark-blue, 16/8/16mm.

THE WESTERN SAMOA ORDER OF MERIT - W.S.O.M.

A gold disc divided, with the same details as the current Order of Merit,

The green border has the gold letters "ORDER OF MERIT" (top) and "WESTERN SAMOA" (bottom).

The 40mm Neck-Ribbon is dark-blue white and green, 16/8/16mm.

My thanks to "Gongz" for his photos. I have photos of some of the modern set, but I do not have

permission to publish them, despite asking for permission.

JDM

[gongz]

The photos I supplied were taken in 1995 of items provided to me by the Samoa Government as part of a display of Commonwealth medals I staged at the CHOGM of that year. These were the only ones they made available.

Cheers

G.

[JDM]

I am trying to write an article for OMRS, can I use your photos?

In 1995 those Decorations were the only ones awarded, except for the GRAND ORDER OF VAILIMA

which was awarded to H.M. The Queen in 1977, but I suspect this Order was similar to the design

of the ORDER OF TIAFAU, with a similar ribbon, i.e. red/white/blue.

The Vailima was obsolete by 1992, I would suspect that it became obsolete with the change of

government in 1988.

One wonders where these Samoan Decorations were made?

JDM

[gongz]

Hello JDM

Yes - feel free to use the photos. Is the quality OK for your purpose?

G.

[JDM]

Thank you Gongz.

I, as I have said, have photos of some of the current Orders, but they are

Samoan Government copyright, I will send them to Megan to put on this site, soon.

I have asked Megan to start an Indonesian section, as I don't see Indonesia, or the Indonesian

Sultanates & Kingdoms, they have lots of Orders and Decorations.

JDM

[Megan]

And here they are: -

Order of Samoa, 1st Class

Order of Merit

Malietoa Cross

[heusy68]

Hello Gentlemen,

 

To reply to all, and especially to JDM who I do not have the honour to have met him personally : DO WE GO TO SAMOA ?

 

The reply is yes. I'am currently in Apia, for a short stay at the end of a 4 countries Pacific Travel.

 

And here are clear photo of the Order of Merit of Samoa. The first 2 photo are the neck badge full size, the third photo is the "miniature", but despite not having the oppportunity to measure it, the miniature shall be +/- 25 millimeter in diameter.

 

The quality is very good for a modern award, NO INDICATION in the lid of the case of a manufacturer name. Badge could be a very good quality gilded metal ( with a thick layer of gilding like 20 micron ). I doubt it to contain a low amount of gold ( or less than 8 carat IF so ).

 

I confirm the ribbon is likely to be 40 millimeter : Red/White/Dark Blue.

 

If anyone know, where in Apia, I could photograph an Order of Samoa and a Malietoa Cross, ( maybe Parliament, it's not far ). In the new recently build Museum Malae O Le Aganuu Ma Measina a Samoa, they might have in their reserve, but do not diplay any. After I went to former Office of Government, then these people send me to Education Ministry, but without success. So if Megan can react, she also know my hotmail to contact me.

 

I can go tomorrow, but please react quickly. Tomorrow end afternoon I head back to Sydney.

 

Regards to all.

 

      Emmanuel

[heusy68]

Hello Gentlemen,

 

To reply to a post of Megan in 2014, concerning what should be the Grand Order of Samoa

 

Malietoa Tanumafili III is clearly wearing a collar with a badge. I have look all the day from Government Office to Ministries, no success. I have been to pay my respect to his final place of rest at the end of the day.

 

As the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting will be in October 2024 in Apia, and as King Charles III will attend this meeting, I expect us to be patient, and maybe in a few months there will be good photo.

 

Media Contact for this Commonwealth Meeting Rene Gashumba, in London.

 

Regards to all.

 

     Emmanuel

[Megan]

Thank you, Emmanuel, you do manage to get to the most interesting places and find fascinating things!