Since 12-27-02
Medals and Awards Authorization from Vietnam and Korean War
Since 12-27-02
Near as I can tell... all who served in Vietnam are authorized to wear
http://www.muxo.net/vietnam/medals/vcgwp.html
A search of most search engines such as
www.google.com will bring up quite a few listings of this....
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/armymedals/l/blvgc.htm
and an application to get
http://www.americanwarlibrary.com/vcog2.htm
correct order of precedence fro Navy
http://www.mediacen.navy.mil/pubs/allhands/Jan99/Janpg38.htm
Order of Precedence - US Army
http://catalog.com/bzone/medals/armyoop.html
1. Description: A Gold color medal, 1 3/8 inches in width, consisting of a
wreath superimposed by two crossed scimitars saltirewise and a Maltese
cross. In the center of the Maltese cross a disc with an outline of the
country of Vietnam between two palm sprigs joined at the bottom and a scroll
overall inscribed "QUOC-GIA LAO-TUONG" (Reward of the State).
2. Ribbon: The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide and consists of the following
stripes: 3/8 inch Old Glory Red 67156; center 5/8 inch Golden Yellow 67104 with
16 strands of Old Glory Red; and 3/8 inch Old Glory Red.
3. Criteria: a. U.S. Military units were individually cited for award of the
Republic of Vietnam (RVN) Gallantry Cross; however, the Vietnamese
Government issued the award to all units subordinate to Military Assistance
Command (MACV) during the period 8 February 1962 and 28 March 1973 and to U.S.
Army Vietnam and its subordinate units for the period 20 July 1965 to 28 March
1973. This permits all personnel who served in Vietnam to wear the RVN Gallantry
Cross unit citation.
b. The medal was awarded by the Vietnam Government to military personnel who
have accomplished deeds of valor or displayed heroic conduct while fighting the
enemy and have been cited individually at the regiment, brigade, division,
corps, or armed forces level.
4. Components: The following are authorized components of the Republic of
Vietnam Gallantry Cross:
a. Medal (regular size): Not issued. Available commercially.
b. Medal (miniature size): Not issued. Available commercially.
c. Ribbon: MIL-R-11589/173. Commercially available.
d. Streamers: Awarded to cited units. Inscription is as indicated on the
unit's lineage and honors. Requisition in accordance with Chapter 9, Army
Regulation (AR) 840-10.
e. Unit Award: Commercially available.
5. Background: a. The RVN Gallantry Cross was established by the Vietnam
Government by Decree No. 74-b/Qt, dated 15 August 1950 and Decree No. 96/DQT/HC,
dated 2 May 1952. Authorization for all U.S. Army personnel was confirmed in
HDQA General Orders No. 8, dated 19 March 1974.
b. Only one emblem (with palm) will be worn regardless of the number of
times the unit was awarded the RVN Gallantry Cross. The Army initially
authorized the wear of a fourragere by letter AGPB-AC, Subject: Wear of
Vietnamese Unit Awards by U.S. Army Personnel, dated 11 February 1969, for units
which had been awarded the RVN Gallantry Cross with palm on two or more
occasions. Department of the Army message 111030Z April 1974, established the
policy that only one emblem was authorized, thus precluding the wear of the
Vietnamese fourrageres which represented multiple awards.
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KOREA DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL Approved (Not to be confused with Korean Service
Medal). Awaiting issue approval by SECDEF Rumsfeld.
http://www.cavalrycountry.org/Hr1935.htm (Eligibility requirements)
http://kdvamerica.org/index2.html
For those that served in Korea. FYI
Korea Defense Service Medal Act Date:
2 DEC 2002 PRT No.: HQ021202009
Released by: National Headquarters, Dunellen, NJ
To: News Media
For Immediate Release
AFTER 48 YEARS OF WAITING KOREA CEASE-FIRE SERVICE IS FINALLY RECOGNIZED
After 48 years of service in the Republic of Korea, U.S.
Armed Forces will finally receive the service medal
recognition they earned and deserve for their historically
dangerous and hostile duty. Approximately 40,000 troops
have served on the peninsula each year since 1954. On 2 DEC
2002, President Bush signed the National Defense
Authorization for year 2003 that included the KOREA DEFENSE
SERVICE MEDAL to be awarded to all armed forces members who
served from 28 July 1954 to a date to be determined by the
Secretary of Defense. The House and Senate passed the bill
in November. This will affect many thousands of former and
current servicemen and women. Korea service is the only
U.S. military deployment standing the line face-to-face with
an enemy without a service medal award.
Representative Elton Gallegly (R-CA 23) was the first Member
of Congress to create legislation for the service medal on
May 22, 2001. His bill had 243 bipartisan cosponsors that
included a majority of members on the House Armed Services
Committee. A companion bill introduced in the Senate by
Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) on June 7, 2001 with 63
bipartisan cosponsors that also included a majority on the
Senate Armed Services Committee.
There has never been a surrender or formal truce agreement
officially ending the Korean War in spite of 48 years of
negotiation. Only a fragile cease-fire agreement is in
place and technically, the countries remain at a
state-of-war. Since cease-fire service began in 1954 there
have been over 40,400 breaches to the cease-fire agreement
by North Korean Forces. At least 1,200 U.S. personnel have
died, hundreds wounded, and 87 captured and held prisoner.
There are more than 2,300 Republic of Korea casualties.
In August 1999 the Korea Defense Veterans of America,
headquartered in Dunellen, NJ, initiated the project to
bring proper recognition to cease-fire veterans. The KDVA
is a national organization of current and former Armed
Forces members from all branches of service that have served
in Korea between 1945 and the present. The official web
site is at: http://kdvamerica.org
Thomas McLaughlin, National Public Relations Officer
(718) 634-4312
Norm Tredway, National Commander
Dave Novak
Community Involvement Coordinator
Office of Public Affairs (P-19J)
77 W Jackson Blvd
Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 886-7478
-------------------------------------------------
Submitted,
YNCS Don Harribine, USN(Ret)
NCPOA
NAVetsUSA