Awards and decorations of the Vietnam War

Awards and decorations of the Vietnam War

Awards and decorations of the Vietnam War were military decorations which were bestowed by the major warring parties during the years of the Vietnam War. North Vietnam, South Vietnam and the United States all issued awards and decorations during the conflict.

In the modern age, many senior U.S. military leaders can still be seen wearing South Vietnam awards which were earned during service in the Vietnam War. As South Vietnam as a country no longer exists, such awards are actually considered obsolete and may only be privately purchased from dealers in military insignia.

A listing of the most commonly bestowed Vietnam war era decorations is as follows:

outh Vietnam

Senior Leadership Decorations

* National Order of Vietnam
*

Heroism Decorations

*

Common Decorations

*
*
*

Unit Citations

* Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation
*
*

Other Awards
*
*
*
*
*

North Vietnam

* Ho Chi Minh Order
* Defeat American Aggression Badge
* Vietnam Liberation Order


=United States=

Several decorations (Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Copmmendation Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal) may be awarded for Valor, or for Merit. Awards for Valor recognize bravery in action against an enemy and have an attached "V" device Valor device. Awards for Merit recognize service.

The Commendation Medal was another decoration of the Vietnam War, issued frequently in various versions by the different branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Australia and New Zealand

Australia and New Zealand awarded British and Commonwealth orders and decorations to their servicemen in Vietnam, including the Distinguished Service Order, and the Military Cross.

Australia and New Zealand jointly developed and instituted The Vietnam Medal (though separate Royal Warrants were issued). The obverse of the medal displays an Effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, the reverse shows a man standing between two spheres, a symbolic representation of the ideological struggle. The ribbon incorporates the colours of the three armed services (Red, Navy Blue, and Sky Blue), and the national colours of Vietnam (Red and Yellow).

[http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/category/c/c4.html New Zealand Defence Force Vietnam Medal Page]

In 1992, Australia struck the Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal. The medal was intended to recognise the Australian servicemen and civilians who provided support for Australian troops. The qualifying criteria for the Medal are service of one day or more as a member or crew of a ship or aircraft operating in the prescribed area of operations of Vietnam in support of Australian forces, or service of one day or more within the prescribed area of operations of Vietnam while attached to a unit or organisation in support of Australian forces.

It has been awarded to military personnel, Qantas crews, civilian medical personnel, and Embassy staff.

[http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/about/medal_descriptions/campaign.html Australian Government Campaign Medals page]

Australia awarded 4 Victoria Crosses during the Vietnam War (List of Vietnam War Victoria Cross recipients), 2 posthumously.

Australian servicemen were also awarded a large number of individual US and South Vietnamese awards, and the following unit citations:
* HMAS Hobart - US Navy Unit Commendation
* HMAS Perth - US Navy Unit Commendation, US Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
* Clearance Diving Team 3 - US Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
* 817 Naval Air Squadron - US Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
* AATTV - Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, US Meritorious Unit Commendation, US Presidential Unit Citation
* 1 RAR - US Meritorious Unit Commendation
* 'D' Coy, 6 RAR - US Presidential Unit Citation
* 8 RAR - Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
* No. 2 Squadron RAAF - Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, USAF Outstanding Unit Award


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Awards and decorations of the United States military — U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace wearing medals, ribbons, and other insignia. Awards and decorations of the United States Military are military decorations which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the United States… …   Wikipedia

  • Awards and decorations of the United States government — are civilian awards of the U.S. federal government which are typically issued for sustained meritorious service, in a civilian capacity, while serving in the U.S. federal government. Certain U.S. government awards may also be issued to military… …   Wikipedia

  • Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces — The awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces recognize a service member s service and personal accomplishments while a member of the Pakistan armed forces. Together with military badges, such awards are a means to outwardly display the …   Wikipedia

  • Awards and decorations of the United States Air Force — are military decorations which are issued by the Department of the Air Force to Air Force service members and members of other military branches serving under Air Force commands. Of all five branches of the United States Armed Forces, the United… …   Wikipedia

  • Awards and decorations of the United States Merchant Marine — Medals and Decorations of the United States Merchant Marine Awards and decorations of the United States Merchant Marine are civilian decorations of the United States which are issued to the members of the United States Merchant Marine for a… …   Wikipedia

  • Vietnam War — Part of the Cold War and the Indochina Wars …   Wikipedia

  • Military decorations of the Cold War — Between 1947 and 1991, during the years of the Cold War, a large number of military awards and decorations were created by various nations to recognize the undeclared hostilities of the era. Military medals of the Vietnam War and the Korean War… …   Wikipedia

  • Military awards and decorations of France — This is a list of the Military awards and decorations of France. Contents 1 National orders 2 Ministry orders 3 Other civilian distinctions 4 Military medals …   Wikipedia

  • Orders, decorations, and medals of the United Kingdom — The British honours system is a means of rewarding individuals personal bravery, achievement, or service to the United Kingdom and the British Overseas Territories. The system consists of three types of award: honours, decorations and medals:… …   Wikipedia

  • Orders, decorations, and medals of the Soviet Union — Awards and decorations of the Soviet Union are decorations from the Former Soviet Union that recognised achievements and personal accomplishments, both military and civilian. Some of the awards, decorations and orders were discontinued after the… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”