Download Army Commendation Medal

Vietnam Service Medal
1. Description: On a bronze medal, 1 ¼ 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:
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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