About 300 people gathered to honour recipients of the New Zealand Defence Service Medal (NZDSM) during a mass presentation ceremony at the Mosgiel Returned and Services Association (RSA) on Saturday.
The event was staged by the Mosgiel and Dunedin RSA clubs, to formally recognise those in the area who had received medals in the post.
About 140 NZDSM recipients were honoured with a certificate of appreciation, signed by Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull and RSA presidents.
The medal was given to those who had served in compulsory military training, national service, territorial forces and regular forces for at least three years since September 3, 1945.
Recipients or their representatives were asked to wear the medals for the presentation function, which was attended by family members, friends, RSA members and young defence cadets.
Mr Cull said the total number of New Zealanders eligible for the NZDSM ran into the thousands, signifying the huge impact they had on the wider community.
Mosgiel RSA member Huia Ockwell said between 1949 and 1958 more than 66,000 young men were conscripted into the New Zealand naval, army and air forces, following a law change brought about by "overwhelming support" for compulsory military training.
Many went on to serve in the regular and territorial forces, and by the mid-1950s New Zealand's army had a highly-skilled trained division, he said.
The service had added significance given its proximity to Anzac Day.
