3 Awards for Service in Southeast Asia
during the
Vietnam War
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When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again,
Hurrah! Hurrah! We'll give him a hearty welcome then Hurrah! Hurrah! The men will cheer and the boys will shout The ladies they will all turn out And we'll all feel gay, When Johnny comes marching home. And we'll all feel gay, When Johnny comes marching home. (strings chorus)
2. The old church bell will peal with joy
3. Get ready for the Jubilee,
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National Defense Service Medal
was authorized by Executive Order 10448, April 22, 1953, and amended by Executive Order 11256, Jan. 11, 1966.
Award:
Awarded for honorable active military service as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States including the Coast Guard, between June 27, 1950 and July 27, 1954, (Korean War Period) and between Jan. 1, 1961 and Aug. 14, 1974 (Vietnam War Period). Members of the National Guard and Reserves were not usually eligible, however if any member of these units became eligible for the award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or the Vietnam Service Medal, between Jan. 1, 1961 and Aug. 14, 1974, the person would be eligible for this medal also.
Design:
Designed by the Army of Heraldic Section. The obverse shows the American bald eagle, perched on a sword and palm. Above this, in a semicircle, is the inscription "National Defense." The reverse shows a shield, as it appears in the Great Scal of the United States; it is half encircled below with an oak leaf to left an laurel spray to the right, knotted in the center.
Ribbon:
The ribbon has a wide yellow stripe in the center, flanked by narrow stripes of red, white, blue, white, wide red stripes. Service members who earned the medal during the first qualifying period and who again became entitled to the medal wear a bronze star on the ribbon to denote the second award of the medal.
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Vietnam Service Medal was established by Executive Order 11213, July 9, 1965.
Award:
Awarded to all service members of the Armed Forces who between July 4, 1965 and March 28, 1973, served in the following areas of Southeast Asia: In Vietnam and the contiguous waters and airspace; in Thailand, Laos or Cambodia or the airspace thereover or in the direct support of military operations in Vietnam.
Personnel previously awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for service in Vietnam between 1 July 1958 and 3 July 1965, may, upon request, exchange that medal for the Vietnam Service Medal; however, no one is authorized to wear both medals solely for services in Vietnam.
In effect, the authorized period of military service to quality for the Vietnam Service Medal spans 1 July 1958 through 28 March 1973. During this period, a military member who participated in combat or who served with a unit directly supporting a military operation or participating in combat in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, or Vietnam qualified for the medal. A military member serving at least 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days also earned the Vietnam Service Medal.
Design:
Designed by Thomas H. Jones, a sculptor and former employee of the Institute of Heraldry, U.S. Army. Centered on the obverse of the medal is the figure of a dragon, behind a grove of bamboo trees. Below this design is the inscription, "Republic of Vietnam Service." On the reverse of the medal is a cross-bow (the ancient weapon of Vietnam), surmounted by a lighted torch. Below this, along the outer edge are the words, "United States of America" in raised letters.
The Vietnam Service Medal is worn with a suspension ribbon, and the ribbon bar are yellow with three vertical red stripes in the center. The yellow, traditionally the imperial color of Vietnam, also symbolizes the Buddhist belief, and the red stripes represent the three ancient Vietnamese empires, Tonkin, Annam, and Cochin China. A vertical green strip on each edge represents the Vietnamese jungles.
History:
There were 17 different campaign periods, but the first, which was called the Vietnam Advisory Campaign, covered the period from March 15, 1962 to
March 7, 1964. During this time there were never more than a few thousand U.S. troops involved in Vietnam.
Vietnam War Campaigns
Ribbon:
The ribbon has a thin stripe of red in the center, flanked on either side by a narrow stripe of yellow, thin stripe of red, wide stripe of yellow, and a narrow stripe of green at the edges, or predominately yellow with three red stripes at the center and green stripes at the edges.
Campaign stars
were worn on the ribbon to indicate the number of campaigns the recipients served in during their service in Vietnam.
USAF Campaign Streamers
Verified combat credit entitles an organization to the appropriate campaign streamers representing the named campaigns in which it participated. The USAF Historical Research Agency has traditionally evaluated and verified organization combat credits. To find an organization's combat credits go to the USAF Historical Research Agency link below.
"US AIR FORCE"
| Vietnam Advisory: 15 Nov 1961–1 Mar 1965. |
| Vietnam Defensive: 2 Mar 1965–30 Jan 1966. |
| Vietnam Air: 31 Jan–28 Jun 1966. |
| Vietnam Air Offensive: 29 Jun 1966–8 Mar 1967. |
| Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase II: 9 Mar 1967–31 Mar 1968. |
| Vietnam Air/Ground: 22 Jan–7 Jul 1968. |
| Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase III: 1 Apr–31 Oct 1968. |
| Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase IV: 1 Nov 1968–22 Feb 1969. |
| TET 69/Counteroffensive: 23 Feb–8 Jun 1969. |
| Vietnam Summer-Fall, 1969: 9 Jun–31 Oct 1969. |
| Vietnam Winter-Spring, 1970: 1 Nov 1969–30 Apr 1970. |
| Sanctuary Counteroffensive: 1 May–30 Jun 1970. |
| Southwest Monsoon: 1 Jul–30 Nov 1970. |
| Commando Hunt V: 1 Dec 1970–14 May 1971. |
| Commando Hunt VI: 15 May–31 Oct 1971. |
| Commando Hunt VII: 1 Nov 1971–29 Mar 1972. |
| Vietnam Ceasefire: 30 Mar 1972–28 Jan 1973. |
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1. Description: On a bronze medal, 1 � inches in diameter, an oriental dragon behind a grove of bamboo trees above the inscription "REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM SERVICE." On the reverse, a crossbow surmounted a by a torch above the arched inscription "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA".
2. Ribbon: The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes: 1/8 inch Primitive Green 67188; 5/16 inch Air Force Yellow 67103; 1/16 inch Old Glory Red 67156; 5/32 inch Air Force Yellow; center 1/16 inch Old Glory Red; 5/32 inch Air Force Yellow; 1/16 inch Old Glory Red; 5/16 inch Air Force Yellow; and 1/8 inch Primitive Green.
3.
Criteria:
a. Awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the
United States serving in Vietnam and contiguous waters or airspace thereover, after 3 July 1965 through 28 March 1973.
Members of the Armed Forces of the United States in
Thailand, Laos, or
Cambodia, or the airspace thereover, during the same period and serving in direct support
of operations in Vietnam are also eligible for this award. To be eligible for award of the medal, individual must:
(1) Be attached to or regularly serve for one or more days with an organization participating in or directly supporting military operations; or
(2) Be attached to or regularly serve for one or more days aboard a naval
vessel directly supporting military operations; or
(3) Actually participate as a crewmember in one or more aerial flights into airspace above Vietnam and contiguous waters directly supporting military operations; or
(4) Serve on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days in Vietnam or contiguous areas, except that the time limit may be waived for personnel participating in actual combat operations.
b. Individuals qualified for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for service in Vietnam between 1 July 1958 and 3 July 1965 shall remain qualified for the medal. Upon request, the individual may be awarded the Vietnam Service Medal in lieu of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. In such instances, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal will be deleted from the list of authorized medals in the individual�s personnel records. No person shall be entitled to both awards for Vietnam Service.
4. Components: The following are authorized components and related items:
a. Medal (regular size): MIL-DTL-3943/230. NSN 8455-00-926-1664 for set which includes a regular size medal and ribbon bar.
b. Medal (miniature size): MIL-DTL-3943/230. Available commercially.
c. Ribbon: MIL-DTL-11589/151. NSN 8455-00-926-1530.
d. Lapel Button (metal replica of ribbon bar): MIL-L-11484/69. Available commercially.
e. Streamer: MIL-S-14650. Manual requisition in accordance with Chapter 9, Army Regulation (AR) 840-10.
5.
Background:
a. On 21 August 1964, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel (DCSPER) requested that The Institute of Heraldry provide proposed designs for the possible adoption of a Vietnam Service Medal. Proposed designs were submitted to DCSPER on 29 September 1964. The Vietnam Service Medal was established by Executive Order 11231, dated 8 July 1965. The design approved by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, 12 July 1965, and the policy for award was promulgated by DOD Directive 1348.15, dated 1 October 1965.
b. The design, created by Miss Mercedes Lee, includes bamboo trees which are adapted from the flag of the President of Vietnam and the half-concealed dragon represents the subversive nature of the conflict. The crossbow, on the reverse, is the ancient weapon of Vietnam and the torch of the Statue of Liberty is a symbol of the United States devotion to liberty and freedom. The yellow ribbon with three vertical red stripes suggests the color of the flag of the Republic of Vietnam. The green border on each side alludes to the jungle of that Country.
c. Soldiers receiving the Vietnam Service Medal are authorized to wear a bronze star to indicate each campaign. There are 17 designated campaigns during the period of 15 March 1962 through 28 January 1973. Units which receive campaign credit for any of the campaigns would display a streamer with inscription as shown on the unit's lineage and honors. The designated campaigns are:
US ARMY Campaign Streamers
Verified combat credit entitles an organization to the appropriate campaign streamers representing the named campaigns in which it participated. To find an organization's combat credits go to the US ARMY link below.
Vietnam War Campaigns
"US ARMY"
| Vietnam Advisory 1962-1965 |
| Vietnam Defense 1965 |
| Vietnam Counteroffensive 1965-1966 |
| Vietnam Phase II 1966 - 1967 |
| Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase III 1967-1968 |
| Tet Counteroffensive 1968 |
| Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase IV 1968 |
| Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase V 1968 |
| Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase VI 1968-1969 |
| Tet 69 Counteroffensive 1969 |
| Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969 |
| Vietnam Winter-Spring 1970 |
| Sanctuary Counteroffensive 1970 |
| Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase VII 1970-1971 |
| Consolidation I 1971 |
| Consolidation II 1971-1972 |
| Vietnam Cease-Fire 1972-1973 |
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Republic Of Vietnam Campaign Medal was established by Executive Order 11213, July 9, 1965.
Award: Awarded to all services members for six months service in the Republic of Vietnam between 1965 and 1973 or if wounded, captured or killed in action during that period of service.
Ribbon:
US ARMY -
RVCM Description (below)
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1. Description: A gold six pointed star with rays, 32cm in diameter, superimposed by a White enameled star, 42cm in diameter, overall in center a Green disc, 18cm in diameter, with the outline of the Vietnamese Country with a Red flame of three rays between North and South Vietnam. On the reverse of the medal is a circle with a designation band containing the word "CHIEN-DICH" (Campaign) at the top and "BOI-TINH" (Medal) at the bottom. Across the center of the circle is the word "VIET-NAM".
2. Ribbon: The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes: 1/16 inch Gherkin Green 67183; 3/16 inch White 67101; 5/16 inch Gherkin Green; 1/4 inch White; 5/16 inch Gherkin Green; 3/16 inch White; and 1/16 inch Gherkin Green.
3. Criteria: The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal is awarded to personnel who meet one of the following requirements:
a. Served in the Republic of Vietnam for six months during the period of 1 March 1961 and 28 March 1973.
b. Served outside the geographical limits of the Republic of Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam and Armed Forces for six months. Such individuals must meet the criteria established for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (for Vietnam) or the Vietnam Service Medal, to qualify for the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
c. Six months service is not required for individuals who were wounded by hostile forces; killed in action or otherwise in line of duty; or captured by hostile forces.
4. Components: The following are authorized components:
a. Medal (regular size): Available commercially.
b. Medal (miniature size): Available commercially.
c. Ribbon: MIL-R-11589/158. Available commercially.
d. Ribbon Attachment: MIL-R-41819/23. Available commercially.
5.
Background:
a. The Secretary of Defense approved a request for approval of foreign awards to US Military personnel on 7 February 1966. As a result of this approval, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with device bar (1960- ) was awarded to US Armed Forces personnel by the Government of the Republic of Vietnam per Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Order No. 48, dated 24 March 1966. The acceptance, criteria and description was announced in the Federal Register, Volume 31, No. 147, 30 July 1966 (Title 32, Code of Federal Regulation 47).
b. The Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Memorandum 2655 prescribed there were two devices to be worn on the ribbon. The first device was for the period 8 March 1949 - 20 July 1954 and is not authorized for wear by American Military Personnel. The second period was from 1 January 1960 with the last period to be decided after the war was over. The ending period remains blank, since the Republic of Vietnam Government ceased to exist before the ending period was established. The devices for the medal are in two sizes - - the large size is 1 13/64 inches in width and is worn on the suspension ribbon of the full size decoration. The regular size is 19/32 inch wide and is worn on the miniature decoration and service ribbon bar.
c. Since the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal is a foreign award, it is not issued by the United States Government. The medal may be purchased from commercial sources.
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Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal was established on Dec. 4, 1961.
Award:
Awarded to members of the United States armed forces who, after July 1, 1958, have participated in a United States military operation and encountered foreign armed opposition, or were in danger of hostile action by foreign armed forces.
Design:
This design is encircled by the inscription "Armed Forces" at the top and "Expeditionary Service" below. Between these words, completing the circle, is a sprig of laurel on each side. The obverse has an eagle with wings raised, perched on a sword. In back of this is a compass rose, with rays coming from the angles of the compass points. The reverse has the shield as it appears on the President's seal. Below this are branches of laurel to right and left, joined in the center by a knot. At the top, in a semicircle, is the inscription "United States of America."
History:
The medal was awarded for service in South Vietnam, before the Vietnam Service Medal was issued. This medal was awarded for the following U.S. Military operations: Lebanon, July 1--Nov. 1, 1958; Taiwan Straits, Aug. 23, 1958--Jan. 1, 1959; Quemoy and Matsu Islands, Aug. 23, 1958--June 1, 1963; Berlin, Aug. 14, 1961--June 1, 1963; Cuba, Oct. 24, 1962--June 1, 1963; Congo, Nov. 23--27, 1964; Dominican Republic, April 28, 1965--Sept. 21, 1966; Korea, Oct. 1, 1966--June 30, 1974; Cambodia (Operation Eagle Pull), April 11-13, 1975; Vietnam (Operation Frequent Wind), April 29-30, 1975; Mayaquez Operation, May 15, 1975; Grenada Operation, Oct. 23--Nov. 21, 1983. It was also awarded for an operation on the Congo in direct support of the United Nations, July 14, 1960--Sept. 1, 1962.
Ribbon:
The ribbon has three narrow stripes of blue, white, and red in the center, flanked by wide stripes of light blue and, on each side, four equal stripes of black, brown, yellow, and green. The center stripes symbolize the United States, and the many colors at the edges symbolize the United States, and the many colors at the edges symbolize other areas of the world.
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MILITARY DECORATIONS LINKS
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USAF DECORATIONS
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