| Common Vietnam Era Military Service Medals Intitled To US Army Vets - Page 2 |
Vietnam Defense Commemorative Military Medal Instituted: 1995 Qualifying Dates: 1961 - 1975 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. |
Cold War Victory Commemorative Military Medal Qualifying Dates: 1945 - 1991 Criteria: Struck to recognize any honorable military service between 2 Sept 1945 and 26 December 1991. |
Tet Campaign Commemorative Military Medal Criteria: Honors all military personnel who served in the TET Campaign. |
Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Commemorative Medal Instituted: 2004 Qualifying Dates: 1961 - 1974 Criteria: To honor all US military personnel whose unit or ship was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallanty Cross Meritorious Unit Citation. |
Armed Forces Expeditionary Military Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Service: All Services Instituted: 1961 Qualifying Dates: 1958 to present Criteria: Participation in military operations not covered by specific war Dates: July 1, 1968 to Present Criteria: Participation in mil¬itary operations not cov¬ered by specific war medal. Devices: All Services: Bronze, Silver Star; Army: Bronze Arrowhead; Navy: Bronze Marine Corps device Notes: Authorized for ser¬vice in Vietnam until estab¬lishment of Vietnam Service Medal. The bronze arrowhead was approved for Grenada parachute jump (Army personnel only). President John F. Kennedy characterized the post World War II period as: “a twilight that is neither peace nor war.” During the period commonly referred to as the Cold War, the Armed Services agreed to one medal that to recognize major actions not otherwise covered by a specific campaign medal. The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal was authorized on December 4, 1961 to any member of the United States Armed Forces for U.S. military operations, U.S. operations in direct support of the United Nations and U.S. operations of assistance to friendly foreign nations after July 1, 1958. Operations that qualify for this medal are authorized in specific orders. Participating personnel must have served at least 30 consecutive (60 nonconsecutive) days in the qualifying operation or less if the operation was less than 30 days in length. The medal may also be authorized for individuals who do not meet the basic criteria but who do merit special recognition for their service in the designated operation. The first qualifying operation was Operation Blue Bat, a peacekeeping mission in Lebanon from July 1 to November 1, 1958. This medal was initially awarded for Vietnam service between July 1, 1958 and July 3, 1965; an individual awarded the medal for this period of Vietnam service may elect to keep the award or request the Vietnam Service Medal in its place. However, both awards may not be retained for the same period of Vietnam service. Many personnel received this medal for continuing service in Cambodia after the Vietnam cease-fire. The medal was also authorized for those serving in the Persian Gulf area who previously would have qualified for the Southwest Asia Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal whose qualification periods for that area terminated on November 30, 1995. Individuals who qualify for both the Southwest Asia Service Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal must elect to receive the Expeditionary medal. The front of the medal depicts an American eagle with wings raised, perched on a sword. Behind this is a compass rose with rays coming from the angles of the compass points. The words “ARMED FORCES EXPEDITIONARY SERVICE” encircle the design. The reverse of the medal depicts the Presidential shield with branches of laurel below and the inscription, “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” The American national colors are located at the center position or honor point of the ribbon. The light blue sections on either side suggest water and overseas service, while various colors representing areas of the world where American troops may be called upon to serve run outward to the edge. |
Army Presidential Unit Citation For AF/Army PUC, use this for US Navy/US Marine Corps/USAF Instituted: 2 Dec 1943 Authorized as the Distinguished Unit Citation, and redesignated on 10 Jan 1957 which redesignated the Distinguished Unit Citation as the Presidential Unit Citation. It is awarded to units for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy on or after Dec. 7, 1941. RVN Civic Action Honor Unit Citation with Palm Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation Service: Republic of Vietnam Instituted: 1966 Criteria: Awarded to certain units of the U.S. Armed Forces for meritorious service during the Vietnam War, 1 March 1961 to 28 March 1974. Devices: Bronze Palm Awarded by the Republic of Vietnam to units in recognition of meritorious civil action service. The Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation was widely bestowed on American forces in Vietnam and recognizes outstanding achievements made by units in the field of civil affairs. The Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation ribbon is dark green with a very thin double red center stripe narrow red stripes near the edges. The ribbon is enclosed in a rectangular one- sixteenth inch gold frame with laurel leaves identical to U.S. unit awards and is awarded with a bronze laurel leaf palm attachment. For more information on Vietnamese decorations and medals see The Decorations and Medals of the Republic of Vietnam and Her Allies 1950-1975 by Foster/Sylvester. Republic Of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm Ribbon Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Service: Republic of Vietnam Instituted: 1966 Dates: March 1, 1961 to March 28, 1974 Criteria: Awarded to certain units of the U.S. Armed Forces for valorous combat achievement during the Vietnam War. Devices: All Services: Bronze Palm; Army only: Bronze, Silver, Gold Star Notes: Above date denotes when award was authorized for wear by U.S. Armed Forces personnel. The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation was established on August 15, 1950 and awarded by the Republic of Vietnam to units of the U.S. Armed Forces in recognition of valorous achievement in combat during the Vietnam War. The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation ribbon is red with a very wide yellow center stripe which has eight very thin double red stripes. The ribbon bar is enclosed in a gold frame with laurel leaves identical to U.S. unit awards. For more information on Vietnamese decorations and medals see The Decorations and Medals of the Republic of Vietnam and Her Allies 1950-1975 by Foster/Sylvester. Republic Of Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon Republic of Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation (Friendship Ribbon) Service: Republic of Vietnam Instituted: 1954 Criteria: Awarded to certain units of the U.S. Armed Forces for humanitarian service in the evacuation of civilians from North and Central Vietnam. Notes: Above date denotes when award was authorized for wear by U.S. Armed Forces personnel. Awarded by the Republic of Vietnam for service in a unit cited in the name of the President of the Republic of Vietnam for outstanding performance in action. The Republic of Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation referred to as the “Friendship Ribbon” and was awarded to members of the United States Military Assistance Advisory Group in Indochina for services rendered during August and September 1954. The ribbon is yellow with three narrow red stripes in the center. The ribbon is enclosed in a rectangular gold frame with laurel leaves identical to U.S. unit awards. No devices are authorized. |