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United States US. Vietnam Service Medal.
The Vietnam Service Medal is a military decoration established on July 8, 1965, by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. It was often awarded posthumously.
It was granted to all members of the United States Armed Forces who served in Vietnam, by land, sea, or air, between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1978, as well as in Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia; or who provided direct support to military operations in Vietnam for at least 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days. Members of the U.S. Navy qualified if their ship was directly involved in combat support operations. As for the U.S. Air Force (USAF), eligibility extended to personnel who flew over Vietnamese airspace, even if their home base was distant and required in-flight refueling.
On the front side of the medal, there is an oriental-style dragon symbolizing the subversive nature of the conflict, positioned behind a bamboo plant. At the bottom, the inscription “Republic of Vietnam Service” can be seen.
The reverse side shows a torch —the same as held by the Statue of Liberty— placed above a bow, a traditional Vietnamese weapon, along with the inscription “United States of America.”
US Medal of the Vietnam War.
