Yes, there is a Vietnam era ribbon known as the Vietnam Service Medal. It was established by the United States government to recognize military service in Vietnam and neighboring areas between 1965 and 1973.
Yes, there is a Vietnam era ribbon known as the Vietnam Service Medal. It was established by the United States government to recognize military service in Vietnam and neighboring areas between 1965 and 1973. The medal is awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who served on active duty in the Republic of Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, or airspace in direct support of military operations.
Here are some interesting facts about the Vietnam Service Medal:
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Design: The ribbon for the Vietnam Service Medal is predominantly green with three yellow stripes in the center representing the Vietnamese flag, which is also green with three red stripes. The colors symbolize the three geographic regions of Vietnam: north, central, and south.
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Eligibility Criteria: To be eligible for the Vietnam Service Medal, one must have served on active duty in the designated area of operations for at least 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days. If an individual was wounded or killed in action, the time requirement is waived.
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Retroactive Award: The Vietnam Service Medal was authorized to be awarded retroactively to those who served in Vietnam before the medal’s establishment on July 8, 1965. This allowed recognition for those who served during the earlier stages of U.S. involvement in the conflict.
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Service Stars: The Vietnam Service Medal can be adorned with service stars, denoting additional periods of qualifying service. Each service star represents six months of service in the designated area of operations.
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Notable Recipients: Several prominent individuals have been awarded the Vietnam Service Medal, including former Secretary of State Colin Powell, former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, and former Vice President Joe Biden, who received the medal for his service in the Delaware Army National Guard during the Vietnam War.
Quote: “More than any other conflict, the Vietnam War exposed a vast, disjointed, and culturally diverse nation to a time of self-examination… It forced Americans to ask fundamental questions about the United States’ purpose, mission, and place in the world.” – James M. McPherson
Here is a brief table summarizing the eligibility criteria for the Vietnam Service Medal:
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Active Duty | Served on active duty in the designated area for 30 consecutive/60 non-consecutive days |
| Wounded or Killed in Action | No minimum time requirement |
| Retroactive Award | Eligible for those who served before July 8, 1965 |
| Service Stars | Represent six months of additional qualifying service |
In conclusion, the Vietnam Service Medal serves as a recognition of the dedicated military service during the Vietnam War era. It honors those who demonstrated bravery and sacrifice in the line of duty, symbolizing a significant period in American history.
Video answer
The video discusses the basic military medals authorized for Vietnam veterans based on their length of service. After 30 days in Vietnam, soldiers were authorized the Vietnam Service Medal and Combat Infantry Badge. The National Defense Service Medal was authorized for all Vietnam veterans between 1961 and 1974. The video also showcases various examples of military awards and medals that Vietnam veterans may have received based on their service, highlighting the different awards, patches, ribbons, and medals they may have accumulated.
Other viewpoints exist
The Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) is a decoration of the U.S. military presented to personnel of any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces who performed military service during the Vietnam War and meet specific qualifications laid out by the United States Department of Defense.
The Combat Action Ribbon (CAR) was authorized by the U.S. Navy on 17 February 1969. It is awarded to members of the Navy and Marine Corps with a rank no higher than captain and colonel, respectively.The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to any servicemen and women that served in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and/or Thailand from 1965 to 1973 for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days. The colors of the ribbon represent the flag of the Republic of Vietnam which was, at the time, yellow with red stripes running horizontally.
The U.S. Navy first authorized the Combat Action Ribbon on 17 February 1969. The CAR is awarded to members of the Navy and Marine Corps with a rank no higher than captain and colonel, respectively.
The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to any servicemen and women that served in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and/or Thailand from 1965 to 1973 for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days. The colors of the ribbon represent: The flag of the Republic of Vietnam which was, at the time, yellow with red stripes running horizontally.
I’m sure you will be interested
People also ask, Is there a medal for Vietnam era service?
Response: It is 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; Vietnam and the contiguous waters and airspace; Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia; or the airspace thereof and in the direct support of military operations in Vietnam.
Who can wear the Vietnam campaign ribbon?
Answer will be: Vietnam Campaign Medal
| Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal | |
|---|---|
| Presented by | South Vietnam |
| Eligibility | Members of the South Vietnamese military and members of allied countries’ armed forces. |
| Campaign(s) | First Indochina War Second Indochina War (Vietnam War) |
Hereof, What are the 3 Vietnam ribbons?
Answer will be: The colors of the ribbon are green, yellow, and red, which represents the flag of the Republic of Vietnam at the time—yellow with red stripes running horizontally—and the green Vietnamese jungles. In addition, the three red stripes indicate the three ancient empires of Vietnam Tonkin, Annam, and Cochin China.
Likewise, What color is the Vietnam service ribbon?
Response to this: Red
The colors serve as symbols of the Vietnam War. Red stands for the three Vietnamese empires of Tonkin, Annam, & Conchin China. Green stands for the Vietnamese jungles. Yellow stands for the imperial color of Vietnam.
In this regard, How do I know if I am authorized to wear Vietnam ribbons? How do I find out if I am authorized to wear the Vietnam service ribbons? The criteria for award of the Vietnam Service and Vietnam Campaign Medal is 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days service in the Republic of Vietnam and its contiguous waters or airspace.
Accordingly, How many ribbons do Vietnam veterans have? As an answer to this: I served with many Vietnam vets and they all had 6 ribbons in common in addition to individual awards, but today on the internet all I see are three. What are the other three? How tough are Vietnam veterans?
Regarding this, Is there a medal for Vietnam era vets? There are two medals that are commonly awarded for service in the Vietnam War: the Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign medal. The Vietnam Service Medal is a U.S. medal introduced during the War.Is there a ribbon for Vietnam era vets?
One may also ask, What is the meaning of the Indochina Theater Ribbon? The reply will be: Both Eagles riding atop and protecting the other’s back respresents mutual support for safeguarding of the other’s forces. The closed top of the Indochina Theater ribbon represents the armed containment of Communism on the battlefields of the Vietnam Theater of Operations.
Is there a ribbon for Vietnam era vets?
Answer to this: The Vietnam Service Medal is a military award of the United States Armed Forces established on 8 July 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The medal is awarded to recognize service during the Vietnam War by all members of the U.S. Armed Forces provided they meet the award requirements.
Besides, What color is a Vietnam service ribbon?
The answer is: 9. The color yellow on the Vietnam Service Ribbon represents the imperial color of Vietnam. 10. The color red on the Vietnam Service Ribbon represents the three ancient Vietnamese empires of Tonkin, Annam, and Cochin China. Did you have to serve in Vietnam to be a Vietnam veteran?
Keeping this in consideration, Is there a medal for Vietnam era vets? Answer will be: There are two medals that are commonly awarded for service in the Vietnam War: the Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign medal. The Vietnam Service Medal is a U.S. medal introduced during the War.Is there a ribbon for Vietnam era vets?
People also ask, What does a Vietnam Service Medal look like? Appearance[edit] Ribbon with silver star, denoting service in 5 campaigns. The Vietnam Service Medal is a rounded bronze shaped medal, 1 1⁄4inches in diameter with a green, yellow, and red suspension ribbon.