Medaille van den Oorlog op Java 1825-1830

The Java War Medal (1825–1830) [Medaille van den Oorlog op Java (1825-1830)] was the first Dutch campaign medal. King William I instituted this medal by Royal Decree on 27 June 1831, following the hard-won victory over the Javanese prince Diponegoro. This colonial war is commonly called the “Java War”.

European military personnel and native officers were eligible for the medal. The many Javanese and Sumatran soldiers and non-commissioned officers in Dutch service did not receive this reward for their efforts.

The medal is octagonal and was struck in bronze by the Royal Netherlands Mint in Utrecht. The obverse of the medal displays the head of King William I, with the inscription “WILLEM I KONING DER NEDERLANDEN” (WILLIAM I KING OF THE NETHERLANDS).

The reverse bears “OORLOG OP JAVA. 1825-1830” (WAR IN JAVA. 1825–1830) within a wreath of oak and orange leaves. The medal is 29 millimetres wide. The plain orange ribbon is thirty millimetres wide, and the medal was worn on the left breast suspended from it.

In 1830 the wearing of a ribbon bar was not yet customary, but a plain orange ribbon bar may have been worn later.

Gilt medals are also known.