On a
bronze medal, 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".
Awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States
serving in Vietnam and contiguous waters or airspace there over, 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 there
over, 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.
Personnel receiving the Vietnam Service Medal are authorized to
wear a bronze star to indicate each campaign.
The designated campaigns are:
- 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
