Risked his life to repel the enemy and protect his soldiers during an enemy assault on his firebase. Southeast Asia. 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. actual combat, or duty that is equally as hazardous as combat duty, 1975 are recipients. Established by the Republic and aircraft providing fire, patrol, guard, reconnaissance, or other Attached to or Australia awarded four Victoria Crosses during the Vietnam War, two posthumously. The quote has become synonymous with the Vietnam War because of the devastation the war caused home and abroad. 6246.. The medals told stories that they couldnt. The medal recognizes the special service prisoners of war gave to their country and the suffering and anguish they endured while incarcerated. United States, Email:Katrina.mcrae@dot.gov Fought off an enemy attack until killed by an enemy rocket, Killed by enemy mortar fire while attempting to rescue several injured Marines, For courageous leadership on an eight-man Marine recon patrol, Risked his life to render medical aid to several injured soldiers and protected them until they could be evacuated, For attempting to aid a critically wounded, For smothering an explosion with his body to protect those around him, Sacrificed his life and attacked a group of enemy soldiers so that several injured members of his squad could escape, Risked his life to protect several wounded soldiers by smothering a grenade with his body. While wounded he secured a machine gun and fired on the enemy, refusing evacuation until his injured comrades were taken. The design of the medal conveys the experience through imagery on the medalion and the color of the ribbon the medal hangs from. The medals design is an important part of telling the story of the Vietnam War: This medal is different because it comes with a default device: the 1960- bar attachment. Our selection of medals encompasses all Vietnam War medals including foreign awards like the Civic Action Medal First and Second Class, the RVN Wound Medal, and plenty of Vietnam-specific commemorative medals to honor your service including a 50th Anniversary medal, defense medals, and an Honorable Discharge Commemorative medal. He then directed fire at the enemy and although wounded adjusted artillery and air strikes within fifty yards of his position until the enemy had been repelled. Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort -- Sgt. These two medals are almost always simultaneously awarded alongside the National Defense medal. Risked his life by rescuing three injured squad members and then led his squad to attack and destroy a heavily fortified enemy bunker complex. Awards and decorations of the Vietnam War were military decorations which were bestowed by the major warring parties that participated in the Vietnam War. Saved wounded Americans on a search and clear operation, Although wounded he directed fire on enemy positions and continued to fight until he died from his wounds, Was killed while attempting to rescue a wounded soldier from a personnel carrier. The Vietnam Service Medal is a U.S. medal introduced during the War. Sacrificed himself to save others by smothering an enemy grenade with his body, For refusing evacuation while tending wounded and defending the unit's position. It took an act of Congress for Etchberger to be reconsidered for this 2010 Medal of Honor, since the existence of Lima Site 85 had to be kept secret in 1968. Outstanding and worthy of special recognition, but not to the degree required for the Bronze Star Medal or Air Medal when combat is involved or the Meritorious Service Medal or Air Medal when combat is not involved. specifically deployed for the direct support of the designated Merchant Marine Academy National Register Nominations, The Department of Defense also offers several award options, Instructions on applyingfor this medal can be found here, Department of Defense and Foreign Government Recognition, In 1992, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced several. For covering a grenade with his body in order to protect those around him, Killed while single-handedly attacking an enemy force, breaking up and disorganizing the enemy, Killed while attempting to rescue a wounded man, Rescued two downed pilots deep within heavily controlled enemy territory. Repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to attend to the fallen and eliminate an enemy rocket position. (1) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; of Staff, in significant numbers. Vietnam(MACV) during the period 8 February 1962 and 30 April To merit this award, the acts or services must be accomplished or performed in a manner above that normally expected and sufficient to distinguish the individual above those performing similar services, as set forth in the following: (1) For Acts of Heroism. Served in the Republic of Vietnam for six months March 1st 1961 to March 28 1973. The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the highest non-combat decoration awarded for heroism by the United States Department of the Navy to members of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps.The medal was established by an act of Congress on 7 August 1942, and is authorized under 10 U.S.C. The Liberation Order Badge is a military badge given by North Vietnam during the Vietnam War originally instituted on August 9, 1965 and awarded t0 groups and individuals for outstanding performance in combat, production, official-business and to families separated by the struggle in the South. During the Vietnam War and in the following twelve months, 235 Medals of Honor were awarded and since 1978 a further 31 awards have been presented. Volunteered to reinforce a squad of Marines who were under heavy fire. (b) Be an important contribution of benefit to the United States and the naval service. (8) As the result of maltreatment inflicted by their captors while a prisoner of war. Despite his wounds, he returned to his position, assisted his men, and refused medical attention until all of his wounded comrades had been treated and evacuated. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. and fought and sacrificed themselves for the freedom of the Republic Served outside Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Samantha Alexander, Distribution Management Office freight noncommissioned officer in charge aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, was awarded. The heroic act(s) performed must render the individual conspicuous and well above the standard expected. area of operations by ground units, ships, and aircraft provided it The Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal will not be awarded for service involving participation in aerial flight after 1 January 1969. To justify the decoration, the individual's service must clearly be rendered conspicuous above their comrades by an act so outstanding that it clearly distinguishes their gallantry beyond the call of duty from lesser forms of bravery; and it must be the type of deed which if not done would not subject the individual to any justified criticism. He led the assault on several enemy gun emplacements and, single-handedly, destroyed three such positions. Leadership Achievement that merit the NA must: To the spouses and children of a fallen troops the Vietnam war medals hold even more meaning because the loss of a family member, father, and husband. The bronze plaque is awarded to the ship. This commendation. Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal (MMEM). FOR FRIENDLY FOREIGN NATIONS, Thailand - 29 Mar 73 - 15 Aug For smothering a grenade blast with his body to protect those around him. entering the area of operations. Awarded to American merchant seamen who serve on U.S.-flag ships in support of operations involving American and Allied military forces. He survived the blast, but was seriously wounded and captured by the enemy dying while a prisoner of war ten months later. Sacrificed his life to single-handedly eliminate a group of enemy soldiers, Assaulted an enemy platoon with another soldier preventing further casualties, Ong Muong Canal, Kien Hoa Province, South Vietnam, Successfully relayed commands through one of his men until an enemy attack was silenced and the boats he was leading were able to move to safety, Led his SEAL team on a mission to capture important members of the enemy and although seriously injured in the battle they eliminated an enemy force and took several prisoners. Vietnamese counteroffensive as well as the U.S. air offensive of 1972. NAVSO 1650/12 (7-99), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal Certificate, S/N 0104-LF-982-3000 (for issue only by those (10) After 28 March 1973, as a result of military operations while serving outside the territory of the United States as part of a peacekeeping force. A part of C Troop, 1st Sqdn. Awards and decorations of the Vietnam War were military decorations which were bestowed by the major warring parties that participated in the Vietnam War. three weeks of the beginning of construction, and continuous air medal awarded to marines at nam phong. C6.5.1.3.1. The Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal may also be awarded to members of the armed forces of a friendly foreign nation consistent with the eligibility requirements specified in chapter 6. Defended several fallen comrades and forced the Vietnamese to kill him rather than be captured. US combat forces were withdrawn in early 1973 pursuant to the Paris Peace Accords, but the war continued concluding with the Fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975.[2]. The 1960 device, as its known, reads the start date of the conflict and the open space after the dash was to include the end date of the Vietnam War, but because they were produced and awarded during the war no end date was added. The achievement should be such as to constitute a definite contribution to the naval service, such as an invention, or improvement in design, procedure, or organization. (a) Be noteworthy; to have contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Minor acts of heroism in actual combat, single acts of merit or meritorious service connection with military or naval operations may justify this award. (1) In action against an enemy of the United States. Killed by enemy gunfire after assisting in the defeat of an attacking enemy force, Killed after rescuing several wounded, assisting in destroying an enemy gun emplacement and resupplying ammunition to his unit, For actions as a prisoner of war from November 9, 1967 January 22, 1968. When awarded/authorized on an individual basis the Gold device For each subsequentinstance sufficient to justify the award, additional insignia will be awarded and worn with the medal. With the fall of South Vietnam, that country's official records of who received which awards disappeared. air-to-ground close air support, fighter harrier combat air patrols and After all wounded had been evacuated he joined another platoon and assisted in pursuing the enemy. between July 4, 1965 and March 28, 1973, in Thailand, Laos, or operations. For the rescue of 29 American and South Vietnamese soldiers from a heavily fortified enemy training area without any cover or gunship support. Distinguished himself while serving as a helicopter rescue crew commander, For sacrificing his life so his unit could escape. Drove off squads of enemy soldiers on three occasions who were searching for allied wounded and weapons. (b) Be an important contribution of benefit to the United States and the Naval Service. Repeatedly exposed himself and his armored personnel carrier to enemy fire in order to protect the other soldiers of his unit and after his vehicle was disabled, he stayed behind and was killed while providing covering fire so others could withdraw. Awarded to officers and seamen who served on a shipwhich, at the time of service, was cited for gallantry by the Maritime Administration. The Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces, including members of Reserve components on active or inactive duty, of the grade of lieutenant commander/major and below. After being struck by enemy mortar, machine gun, and small arms fire he continuously fought and led his men against the enemy until dying from his wounds. was imminent even though it did not materialize. Against overwhelming odds, several times Williams led his PBRs (Patrol Boats, River) against concentrations of enemy junks and sampans. Over 350,000 medals and war zone ribbons have been distributed to eligible merchant mariners for approved conflicts. Joint General Staff, Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces. applies to individuals assigned to a Corps Level unit. equaling those expected of an air group operating from a sophisticated, As a result of the three-hour battle, the American naval force killed numerous Viet Cong guerrillas, destroyed over fifty vessels, and disrupted a major enemy logistic operation. Since there is an order of precedence to these awards, here are the top 15 military medals ranked in descending order. (4) As the result of an act of any such enemy or opposing armed force. Having their Vietnam war medals was something to remember them by and to cherish forever. For falling on a grenade to save his comrades and is one of five Puerto Ricans who have been posthumously presented with the Medal of Honor. Originally awarded the, Risked his life to assist a group of Marines who had been attacked by a larger enemy force. Second conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor. ]. The Air Medal is the more appropriate recognition for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. Awarded to merchant marine veterans who participated in convoys to Murmansk during World War II. [14], List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War, Phuoc VinhBnh Dng ProvinceSouth Vietnam, Dak ToQuang Trang ProvinceSouth Vietnam, Bong SonBnh nh ProvinceSouth Vietnam, Phu BaiTha Thin ProvinceSouth Vietnam, PhuocLacBin Ha ProvinceSouth Vietnam, The Medal of Honor Historical Society of the United States at, defending Camp Nam Dong against a Viet Cong attack, Tet offensive attack on Tan Son Nhut Air Base, United States Army Center of Military History, http://www.cmohs.org/medal-statistics.php, "President announces 24 Soldiers to receive Medals of Honor", "Obama to award Medal of Honor to two dozen veterans, including 19 discrimination victims", "President Obama to Award Medal of Honor", "Vietnam Unknown's Medal of Honor Transfer Denied", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Medal_of_Honor_recipients_for_the_Vietnam_War&oldid=1132543066, Killed while flying his helicopter in a rescue mission, Distinguished himself during 38 hours of close-combat battle against Viet Cong forces during the, After participating in the defeat of an enemy assault he was killed in hand-to-hand combat, For disrupting an enemy raid and saving the lives of several comrades, For covering an enemy grenade with his body to protect fellow Marines. Campaign Medal. Joint . Of the total of 266 awards, 178 were to the US Army, 15 to the US Navy, 58 to the USMC and 14 to the USAF. Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. (2) while engaged in military operation involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or For defending company from an enemy grenade, Sacrificed himself to hold his company's position against the enemy allowing others to come to his aid and repel the enemy force, Sacrificed his life by manning a machine gun in an exposed position during an enemy attack, allowing others to rescue a wounded comrade, Sacrificed his life to save others by smothering a grenade with his body, Sacrificed his life to save several fellow soldiers by smothering a claymore mine with his body.

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