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Category: Post-WW2 Medals

The Civil Actions Medal (South Vietnam)

The Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal is a military decoration awarded by the former South Vietnamese gov. during the Vietnam War.

The Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal (or Dân-Vụ Bội-Tinh in Vietnamese, also known as the Vietnam Civil Actions Medal or Civil Actions Medal) is a military decoration created on May 12, 1964 during the Vietnam War by the former South Vietnamese government.

The medal was awarded to the South Vietnamese military and its allies’ military personnel or units that performed outstanding achievements in the field of civil affairs. It was awarded in two classes, with the first class intended for commissioned officers and the second class for enlisted personnel. Individuals who were cited received the medal, ribbon, and a citation.

The Civil Actions Unit Citation Emblem was awarded to all members of a military command or unit who had participated in civic actions to such a degree as would warrant an individual Vietnam Civil Actions Medal.

The Civil Actions Medal Design

The Civil Actions Medal is a bronze eight-pointed star with alternating points of the star lined, superimposed by a disk with a figure of a soldier, a child, and a farmer with a shovel, all enclosed by a white enamel designation band inscribed Dân Vụ (Civil Action) at the top and Bội Tinh (Medal) at the bottom.

The Civil Action Medal, First and Second Class, has a suspension ribbon and service ribbon that is Bottle Green and Scarlet. The first class color is distinguished from the second class color by the first class medal having two narrow red stripes in the center of the medal’s ribbon. The Civil Actions Unit Citation Emblem is in the first class color only. The first Civil Action Medal was awarded without a ribbon device. Each additional award of the medal had one of four devices representing four levels an individual was cited from; a large palm indicated a citation from the Armed Forces level. The Republic of Vietnam made some revisions pertaining to the Civil Actions Medal in 1965 and 1967.

The Vietnam Military Merit Medal

The Military Merit Medal is the highest military decoration for enlisted personnel by the Republic of Vietnam during the years of the War.

The Military Merit Medal (or Quân-Công Bội-Tinh in Vietnamese) was established on August 15, 1950. It’s the highest military decoration bestowed to enlisted personnel by the Republic of Vietnam during the years of the Vietnam War.

The Military Merit Medal is awarded or awarded posthumously to Non-Commissioned Officers (including Aspirants) and Enlisted Men in the Armed Forces, who have: Previously received citations at the Armed Forces level; Been wounded once or many times in combat; Distinguished themselves by their heroic actions or Served in an honorable manner for at least 13 years.

The Military Merit Medal was modeled after the French Médaille Militaire and was awarded mostly to Enlisted Men for valor in combat. The Vietnamese National Order of Vietnam was considered the equivalent decoration for military officers.

The United States military authorized the Military Merit Medal as a foreign decoration and permitted the medal to be worn on U.S. uniforms by enlisted personnel. A high number Military Merit Medals were issued posthumously as the medal was most often awarded to United States servicemen who were killed in action.

The Vietnam Military Merit Medal Design

The Military Merit Medal is a circular gold-colored medal, the obverse bearing the words ‘TO-QUOC-TRI-AN‘ (‘The gratitude of the Fatherland’) in a central disc. A thin band around the disc contains the words ‘QUAN-CONG-BOI-TINH‘, and the whole is surrounded by a wreath. The reverse is similar, but the words ‘VIET-NAM CONG HOA‘ appear in the central disc.

The medal is suspended from a pair of rings supporting a trophy of arms (crossed swords). The ribbon is yellow, with a broad green and narrow white stripe at each edge. In the center are seven closely grouped green lines.

The Vietnam Distinguished Service Order

The Vietnam Distinguished Service Order was a military decoration of South Vietnam awarded throughout the years of the Vietnam War.

The Vietnam Distinguished Service Order (or Huân-Chương-Việt Nam in Vietnamese) was a military decoration of South Vietnam awarded throughout the years of the Vietnam War. The decoration was bestowed for meritorious or heroic deeds related to wartime operations and was awarded for both combat and non-combat service.

The decoration ranked immediately below the National Order of Vietnam and the Vietnam Military Merit Medal. It was among the less commonly bestowed medals, in contrast to such decorations as the Vietnam Gallantry Cross and Vietnam Campaign Medal.

The Vietnam Distinguished Service Order was also provided to foreign militaries, and in the United States military, the decoration was considered the equivalent of the Legion of Merit. For foreign officers, the 2nd class of the order was also provided to officers.

The Vietnam Distinguished Service Order Design

The Vietnam Distinguished Service Order is Maltese cross in white enamel with divided rays. Between the rays are golden trident heads, and in the center is a red disc containing three narrow triangles in gold, surrounded by an orange band containing the words ‘LUC-QUAN HUAN CHUONG’ in gold. On the reverse is stamped the words ‘VIET-NAM‘ in a lined circle. The ribbon is a two-armed embroidered design in tan and green, each arm crossing the other three times and ending in a hanging fringe behind the medal.

There were two classes of the Vietnam Distinguished Service Order, the first class being for officers and the second class for enlisted personnel. The first class of the order was differentiated by a blossom device centered on the medal and ribbon.

The National Order of Vietnam

The National Order of Vietnam was a military-civilian decoration and the highest honor that could be bestowed by the Republic of Vietnam.

The National Order of Vietnam (or Bảo-Quốc Huân-Chương in Vietnamese) was a military-civilian decoration created in 1950 and considered the highest honor that could be bestowed upon an individual by the Republic of Vietnam government.

The decoration was awarded to any person who performed “grandiose works, remarkable deeds, exhibited bravery, or for those who have honored and served the country by lofty virtues and outstanding knowledge.”

During the Vietnam War, the National Order of Vietnam was bestowed on several members of the United States military, most of whom were senior military and political advisors to the South Vietnamese government. The decoration could also be awarded posthumously.

The National Order was modeled after the French Legion of Honour, and issued in five degrees:

  • Grand Cross;
  • Grand Officer;
  • Commander;
  • Officer; and
  • Knight.

The National Order of Vietnam Design

Both the badge and the star of the National Order of Vietnam have the same design. The ribbon, red with yellow borders, was in fact the ribbon of the former Order of the Dragon of Annam when awarded by the Emperor of Annam himself (when awarded by the French Government the ribbon was green with orange borders).

Since the National Order of Vietnam was both a civil and a military decoration, it was displayed above all other awards when worn on a military uniform.

The Vietnam Liberation Order

The Liberation Order Badge is a military badge given by North Vietnam during the Vietnam War and awarded for outstanding performance

The Liberation Order Badge is a military badge given by North Vietnam during the Vietnam War originally instituted on August 9, 1965 and awarded t0 groups and individuals for outstanding performance in combat, production, official-business and to families separated by the struggle in the South.

The original order was eventually replaced by an entirely different and larger (40mm) planchet and its ribbon changed. The Order was adopted as an official order of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV).

The Vietnam Liberation Order Design

The early version of the National Liberation Front (NLF or Viet Cong) Liberation Order is a 37mm five-pointed star with seven rays between each point.

The obverse is a central disk with the NLF flag between two shocks of grain and a toothed-gear below. The inscription of the curved ribbon reads, GIAI PHONG or “Liberation”. The reverse is plain. The affiliated decoration, also an official decoration of the SRV, retains the original characteristics of the early order. The decoration is smaller (33mm) and utilizes the same blue-red-blue ribbon combination as the original version of the order.

The Defeat American Aggression Badge

The Defeat American Aggression Badge is a military badge established in 1965 and given during the Vietnam War by North Vietnam.

The Defeat American Aggression Badge is a military badge established in 1965 and given during the Vietnam War by North Vietnam. The badge was awarded to units and individuals who performed outstanding services against American forces. This included any individual, who took part in combat after August 2, 1964, and received a commendation or the appellation good fighter.

The Defeat American Aggression Badge Design

The Defeat American Aggression Badge is a tiny (measuring 30mm) and colorful badge.

The obverse of the 12-pointed star depicts three women clutching rifles. The red blouse represents farmers, the green blouse represents soldiers and the blue blouse represents the workers. The inscription reads, QUYET-TAM-DANH-THANG GIAC MY XAM-LUOC (“Resolved to defeat American Aggression”).

The badge is suspended from a red, hero-style bar, with a gold star. The bar measures 19mm by 5mm.

The Order of Ho Chi Minh

The Order of Ho Chi Minh is a decoration of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam that was first instituted in 1947 by president Hồ Chí Minh.

The Order of Ho Chi Minh (or Huân chương Hồ Chí Minh in Vietnamese) is a decoration of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam that was first instituted on 6 June 1947 by president Hồ Chí Minh. Currently, the Ho Chi Minh Order is the second highest national order of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

The Order is conferred (can be done posthumously) on individuals who have rendered great meritorious services, recorded numerous outstanding achievements in one of the political, economic, social, literature, art, scientific, technological, defense, security, diplomatic or other domains.

When first instituted, the Ho Chi Minh Order had 3 classes, but since 1981 the Order has become a single one. The Order is bestowed on citizens who have rendered outstanding services to the State, or members of the Vietnamese People’s Armed Forces for acts of bravery in action against an enemy force. The decoration may also be awarded to cities, regions, collectives, military units and ships for the same reasons.

The Order of Ho Chi Minh Design

The medal is round and struck in bronze, and features the portrait of President Hồ Chí Minh in profile.

The National Defense Service Medal

The National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) is a service medal of the United States Armed Forces created by President Eisenhower in 1953. 

The National Defense Service Medal (or NDSM) is a service medal of the United States Armed Forces established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953. Currently, the National Defense Service Medal is the oldest service medal (as opposed to decorations for particular achievements) currently awarded by all branches of the United States Armed Forces.

It was first intended to be a “blanket campaign medal” awarded to service members who served honorably during a designated time period of which a “national emergency” had been declared during a time of war or conflict. It may also be issued to active military members for any other period that the Secretary of Defense designates. While no document is known which explains the rationale for the award, it was apparently established to recognize all service members who served during the Korean War to include those who did not serve in the war zone.

To date, the NDSM has been awarded for four specific time periods, which roughly correspond to the Korean, Vietnam and Gulf War eras as well as the Global War on Terrorism. As the NDSM has been awarded to all military personnel during four wartime periods, it has millions of recipients and is probably the most widely awarded medal in the history of the United States military, with the possible exception of World War II Victory Medal.

The National Defense Service Medal Design

The obverse of the medal shows a North American bald eagle, perched on a sword and palm. Above this, in a semicircle, is the inscription “National Defense“. The reverse shows a shield, taken from the coat of arms of the United States; it is half encircled below with an open wreath, the right side of oak leaves and laurel leaves the left.

The ribbon has a wide yellow stripe in the center, flanked by narrow stripes of red, white, blue, white and wide red stripes.

How Do You Request a National Defense Service Medal?

If you are eligible for the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) and need to request a replacement or a new one, you can typically do so through the appropriate military branch’s records office or the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC).

You can submit your request through various means, including mail, fax, email, or online, depending on the specific requirements of the records office you are dealing with.

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Other Service Medals

A service medal is a type of military decoration awarded to members of the armed forces, government employees, and, in some cases, civilians in recognition of their service, participation in specific military campaigns, or the fulfillment of certain criteria. Here are related to this one:

The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (or GWOT-EM) is a United States Armed Forces award created by George W. Bush on 12 March 2003

The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (or GWOT-EM) is a United States Armed Forces award created by George W. Bush on 12 March 2003, to recognize those military service members who have deployed overseas in direct service to the War on Terror from 11 September 2001 to a date to be determined.

To be awarded the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal a military service member must perform duty in a deployed status and must participate in designated anti-terrorism operation for a period of either 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days of duty. For those who were engaged in combat, killed, or wounded in the line of duty (for example, those injured and requiring medical evacuation), the time requirement is waived.

Prior to 30 April 2005, the medal was awarded for service within Iraq and Afghanistan, but has been replaced with the Iraq Campaign Medal and Afghanistan Campaign Medal and now serves primarily as recognition for personnel who have deployed in support of the War on Terror to locations beyond Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Medal Service Stars

The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal may be awarded with service stars denoting subsequent awards of the medal. Each service star represents a subsequent deployment or campaign for which the medal was awarded.

These stars are typically worn on the suspension and service ribbon of the medal to indicate multiple awards of the GWOT-EM. Service members who have been deployed to multiple qualifying areas or campaigns in support of the Global War on Terrorism may receive additional service stars to recognize each deployment or campaign.

The Medal Operations

Some of the major approved operations and campaigns that qualify for the GWOT-EM include:

  1. Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF): This operation encompasses military operations in Afghanistan and other locations to combat terrorism and support the Afghan government.

  2. Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF): This operation involved military operations in Iraq to remove Saddam Hussein’s regime and combat insurgency.

  3. Operation New Dawn: This operation succeeded Operation Iraqi Freedom and focused on supporting the Iraqi government and security forces after the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops.

  4. Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR): This ongoing operation involves military operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria.

  5. Operation Freedom’s Sentinel: This operation involves the continued U.S. military presence in Afghanistan to support Afghan security forces and counter terrorism.

A U.S. Army crew chief with 17th Cavalry Regiment surveys the area over Jalalabad, Afghanistan.
A U.S. Army crew chief with 17th Cavalry Regiment surveys the area over Jalalabad, Afghanistan.

The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Design

The medal was designed by John Sproston of the Army’s Institute of Heraldry. The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal may be awarded with the devices:

  • Arrowhead device – For qualified Army and Air Force service members.
  • Service stars – effective 9 February 2015, to recognize individual participation in each of the approved operations that a service member participates in, a 3⁄16 inch bronze service star is worn on the suspension and service ribbon of the medal, with a 3⁄16 inch silver star being worn in lieu of five bronze stars.
  • Fleet Marine Force Combat Operation Insignia – for qualified Navy service members such as hospital corpsmen assigned to Marine Corps units that participate in combat during the assignment.

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Other Service Medals

A service medal is a type of military decoration awarded to members of the armed forces, government employees, and, in some cases, civilians in recognition of their service, participation in specific military campaigns, or the fulfillment of certain criteria. Here are related to this one:

The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is a military award of the U.S Armed Forces created in 1961 by Executive Order of President John Kennedy. 

The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (or AFEM) is a military award of the United States Armed Force created in 1961 by Executive Order of President John Kennedy. The medal is awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who, after July 1, 1958, participated in U.S. military operations, U.S. operations in direct support of the United Nations (UN), or U.S. operations of assistance for friendly foreign nations.

Since its original conception in 1961, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal has been awarded for United States participation in over forty-five designated military campaigns. The first was the Cuban Missile Crisis (military service between October 1962 and June 1963.) The AFEM was made retroactive to 1958 and issued for actions in Lebanon, Taiwan, Republic of the Congo, Quemoy and Matsu, and for duty in Berlin between 1961 and 1963. 

During the early years of the Vietnam War, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal was issued for initial operations in South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. In 1965, with the creation of the Vietnam Service Medal, the AFEM was discontinued for Vietnam War service. 

In 2003, with the creation of the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the AFEM was discontinued for Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait.

The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Operations

The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) is awarded for participation in U.S. military operations that are designated as “expeditionary” in nature. Some of the operations for which the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal may be awarded include:

  1. Operation Urgent Fury (Grenada)
  2. Operation Just Cause (Panama)
  3. Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm (Gulf War)
  4. Operation Uphold Democracy (Haiti)
  5. Operation Joint Guardian (Kosovo)
  6. Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan)
  7. Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq)
  8. Operation Odyssey Dawn (Libya)

It’s worth mentioning that, while Operation Southern Watch was not explicitly designated as an expeditionary operation, service members who participated in the operation may have been eligible for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) if they met the criteria outlined by the Department of Defense.

The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Design

The medal is issued as a bronze medal, 1-1/4 inches in diameter. The obverse consists of an eagle, with wings addorsed and inverted (representing the strength of the United States Armed Forces), standing on a sword loosened in its scabbard, and superimposed on a radiant compass rose of eight points, (representing the readiness to serve wherever needed) all within the circumscription “ARMED FORCES” above and “EXPEDITIONARY SERVICE” below with a sprig of laurel on each side.

On the reverse side of the medal is the shield from the United States Coat of Arms above two laurel branches separated by a bullet, all within the circumscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA“.

The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes: 3/32 inch Green; 3/32 inch Golden Yellow ; 3/32 inch Spicebrown ; 3/32 inch Black ; 7/32 inch Bluebird ; 1/16 inch Ultramarine Blue ; 1/16 inch White ; 1/16 inch Scarlet; 7/32 inch Bluebird; 3/32 inch Black; 3/32 inch Spicebrown; 3/32 inch Golden Yellow; and 3/32 inch Green.

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Other Service Medals

A service medal is a type of military decoration awarded to members of the armed forces, government employees, and, in some cases, civilians in recognition of their service, participation in specific military campaigns, or the fulfillment of certain criteria. Here are related to this one: