My_Navy_Page

Mike O'Briens

The Vietnam Service Medal

Was established by Executive Order 11231 from President Johnson's desk on 8 July 1965.
The distinctive design was the creation of sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones, a former employee of the Army's Institute of Heraldry.
The service medal was awarded to all members of the armed forces who served in Vietnam and contiguous waters and airspace between 1965 and 1974.
In addition, personnel serving in Thailand, Laos or Cambodia in direct support of operations in Vietnam during the same time period also were eligible for the medal.
To qualify for award of the VSM an individual must meet one of the following qualifications:
(1) Be attached to or regularly serve for 1 or more days with an organization participating in or directly supporting military operations.
(2) Be attached to or regularly serve for 1 or more days aboard a Naval vessel directly supporting military operations.
(3) Actually participate as a crewmember in one or more aerial flights into airspace above Vietnam and contiguous waters directly supporting military operations.
(4) Serve on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days in Vietnam or contiguous areas, except that time limit may be waived for personnel participating in actual combat operations.

Diego Garcia, BIOT

Rota, Spain

Gulfport, Ms

E S

NAVY "E" RIBBON

NAVY SEABEE PAGE

1974 to 1979

1978

1976

1973-74

Vietnam (RVN) Service Medal

1976

1977

1975

Criteria
The Navy "E" Ribbon denotes permanent duty on ships or in squadrons that won the battle efficiency competition after July 1, 1974. This ribbon replaces the "E" patch previously sewn on the right sleeve of the uniform.
Components
A silver "E" one-eighth of an inch high is authorized for wear on the Navy "E" ribbon for first, second, and third awards. For four or more awards one wreathed "E" is worn centered on the ribbon bar is authorized.
Background
A Secretary of the Navy recommendation in June of 1976 established this award to replace the Battle Efficiency Award (the letter "E") which had been worn sewn to the sleeve of the uniform. It is authorized to be worn by all crew members of ships and aviation squadrons winning the fleet-wide eighteen month competitive cycle which has exercises testing all phases of battle readiness. The Battle Efficiency Award, called the Navy Battle "E", in addition to the ribbon, consists of a cloth insignia and a battle pennant to be displayed by the ship or unit winning the award.

Here are the rates I attained while in the NAVY SEABEES

-------------------- click on medal/ribbon or rate badge to get info --------------------

NAVY GOOD CONDUCT RIBBON

Criteria
Stuck to honor all military personnel who served in South Vietnam or in direct support from Thailand, Guam, Okinawa or the waters off shore between 1962 and 1975.

Criteria
Struck to recognize any honorable military service between
2 Sept 1945
and
26 December 1991.

Criteria
Struck to honor all Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen who served in an overseas theater or expeditionary operation outside the United States for 30 days or more.

Criteria
Struck to honor all who have honorable military service in the U.S. Navy between 1775 and the present.

National Defense Service Medal
Dates
1950-54, 1961-74, 1990-95
Criteria
Any honorable active duty service during any of the above periods

NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE RIBBON

Cold War Victory Commemorative Medal

Cold War Commemorative Medal

US Navy
Commemorative Medal

Navy Expert Rifleman

NMCB 74 CB's recieved USMC/NAVY military training
thus qualifying for USMC badges

Overseas Service Commemorative Medal

Republic of Vietnam
(RVN)
Defense Commemorative Medal

An unadorned ribbon signifies
"Marksman"
The same ribbon with a bronze "S" signifies
"Sharpshooter".
Navy personnel who obtain a first and second
"Expert"
qualification wear the ribbon bar with a bronze "E".
Upon attaining the tird and final
"Expert"
qualification, a silver "E" is attached to the ribbon.

COMMEMORTIVE MEDALS

Express Citations

Ribbon Checker for US Decorations and Medals

Thanks to these sites:

Soldier City

1976

1978

boot
camp

worm island

These are the Commemortive
Ribbons & Medals also picked up since 1979

These are the
Ribbons & Medals I have recieved while on active service

1974

1975

my presentation of
NMCB 74's history

Origin of Seabee insignia

What is a Seabee ?.

We Build
We Fight

United States Military Service Ribbons & Medals

***

Sea Service Deployment Ribbon

ROTA - SPAIN

Seabee History: After Vietnam

Navy Service Ribbons

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

Good Conduct Award
Fidelity Zeal Obedience
Michael Joeseph O'Brien
Equipment Operator Third Class
United States Navy
is issued this certificate in recognition
of
faithful, zealous and obedient naval service
FIRST AWARD
for
service completed
on
9th September 1978

National Defense Service Medal

Criteria
The National Defense Service Medal was awarded for honorable active service for any period
between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954 - between 1 January 1961 and 14 August 1974 - between 2 August 1990 and 30 November 1995.

Background
The National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) was established by President Eisenhower per Executive Order 10448, dated 22 April 1953, for service between 27 June 1950 and a date to be announced. On 17 June 1954, the Chief of Staff approved establishment of 27 July 1954 as the termination date for award of the NDSM. Executive Order 11265, dated 11 January 1966, amended Executive Order 10488, to include a termination date and authorized the Secretary of Defense to establish periods of eligibility subsequent to 31 December 1960. Eligibility for award, commencing with the period after 31 December 1960, was established by DOD Directive 1348.7, dated 1 April 1966, and terminated effective 15 August 1974, per letter from Manpower and Reserve Affairs, subject: Termination of Eligibility for the National Defense Service Medal, dated 30 June 1974. The NDSM was again authorized by memorandum, dated 20 February 1991, from Secretary of Defense Cheney for active service on or after 2 August 1990 with no termination date established. The termination date was later established as 30 November 1995.

The Vietnam Service Medal was established by Executive Order 11231 from President Johnson's desk on 8 July 1965.

The distinctive design was the creation of sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones, a former employee of the Army's Institute of Heraldry.

The service medal was awarded to all members of the armed forces who served participating in or directly supporting military operations in Vietnam and contiguous waters and airspace between 1965 and 1974.

In addition, personnel serving in Thailand, Laos or Cambodia in direct support of operations in Vietnam during the same time period also were eligible for the medal.
mbat operations.

Sea Service Deployment Ribbon

This award was approved by the Secretary of the Navy on May 22, 1980. It recognizes the unique and demanding nature of sea service and the arduous duty attendant with such service deployments. The award of the ribbon was made retroactive to August 15, 1974. It is presented to officers and enlisted personnel of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps assigned to U.S. homeported ships and overseas ships, deploying units, or Fleet Marine Force (FMF) commands, for 12 months accumulated sea duty, or duty with FMF, which includes at least one 90 consecutive day deloyment. Sailors can now earn the award after completing two 80-day or longer deployments in a 12-month period. This change applies to deployments commencing on or after Oct 18, 1991

OKINAWA - JAPAN

DIEGO DARCIA - BIOT

Pistol Medal

Established in 1920 to replace the Navy Sharpshooters Medal created in 1910

Awarded
by the
Chief of Naval Personnel
to
those members
of
The United States Navy or Naval Reserve
who qualify as
"Marksman"
with
either rifle or carbine on a prescribed military rifle course.

Established in 1920 to replace the Navy Sharpshooters Medal created in 1910
awarded by the Chief of Naval personnel
to
those members
of
The United States Navy or Naval Reserve
who qualify as
"Marksmant"
with
.45 calb pistol on a prescribed military pistol course.

Mike O'Briens

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