Vietnam Service Medal

Vietnam Service Medal

Vietnam Service Medal

Service: All Services
Instituted: 1965
Dates: 1965-73
Vietnam Service Medal Criteria: Service in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, or Thailand during the above period. Prior to issuance of this award in November 1965, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal was given to those who served in Vietnam. After that period, it is the veteran’s choice to exchange the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for the Vietnam Service Medal. It is the military’s policy that you cannot have two medals to recognize service in the same action. There were 17 campaigns during the Vietnam War.

Devices: All Services: Bronze, Silver star; Army: Bronze Arrowhead; Navy: Bronze Marine Corps device

The Vietnam Service Medal is often abbreviated VSM on a DD214.

Vietnam Service Medal – Overview

Authorized by executive order on July 8, 1965 for U.S. military personnel serving in the Vietnam Theater of Operations after July 3, 1965 through March 28, 1973. Personnel must have served in Vietnam on temporary duty for at least 30 consecutive/60 nonconsecutive days or have served in combat with a unit directly supporting a military operation in Southeast Asia. Military personnel serving in Laos, Cambodia or Thailand in direct support of operations in Vietnam are also eligible for this medal. The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal was awarded for earlier service in Vietnam from July 1, 1958 to July 3, 1965, inclusive; personnel receiving that award may be awarded the Vietnam Service Medal, but are not authorized both awards for Vietnam service. The front of the military medal depicts an oriental dragon behind a grove of bamboo trees; below the base of the trees is the inscription, “REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM SERVICE.” The reverse of the medal depicts a crossbow with a torch through the center and contains the inscription, “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” along the bottom edge. The colors of the suspension drape and ribbon suggest the flag of the Republic of Vietnam (the red stripes represent the three ancient Vietnamese empires of Tonkin, Annam, and Cochin China) and the green represents the Vietnamese jungle. Bronze and silver stars are authorized to signify participation in any of the 17 designated campaigns during the inclusive period.

Designated campaigns for the Vietnam Service Medal are as follows:

Army and Naval Services:

• Vietnam (VN) Advisory, 1962 – 1965
• VN Defense, 1965 – 1965
• VN Counteroffensive Campaign, 1965 – 1966
• VN Counteroffensive Campaign Phase II, 1966 -1967
• VN Counteroffensive Campaign Phase III, 1967 – 1968
• TET Counteroffensive, 1968
• VN Counteroffensive Campaign Phase IV, 1968
• VN Counteroffensive Campaign Phase V, 1968
• VN Counteroffensive Campaign Phase VI, 1968 – 1969
• TET69 Counteroffensive, 1969
• VN Summer – Fall 1969, 1969
• Vietnam Winter – Spring 1970, 1969 – 1970
• Sanctuary Counteroffensive, 1970
• VN Counteroffensive Campaign Phase VII, 1970 – 1971
• Consolidation I, 1971
• Consolidation II, 1971 – 1972
• Vietnam Cease-Fire Campaign, 1972 – 1973

Air Force:

• Vietnam (VN) Advisory, 1961 – 1965
• VN Defense, 1965 – 1966
• VN Air Campaign, 1966
• VN Air Offensive Phase I, 1966 – 1967
• VN Air Offensive Phase II, 1967 – 1968
• VN Air/Ground Campaign, 1968
• VN Air Offensive Phase III, 1968
• VN Air Offensive Phase IV, 1968 – 1969
• TET 69/Counteroffensive, 1969
• VN Summer-Fall, 69, 1969
• VN Winter-Spring, 1969 – 1970
• Sanctuary Counteroffensive, 1970
• Southwest Monsoon, 1970
• Commando Hunt V, 1970 – 1971
• Commando Hunt VI, 1971
• Commando Hunt VII, 1971 – 1972
• Vietnam Cease-Fire, 1972 – 1973

Medals of America also offers military badges, challenge coins, and military medals mounted for wear. Call us at 800-308-0849 to purchase the VSM or add it to your cart today.

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