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Home » Military » 5 Things You Should Know About the Vietnam Service Medal

5 Things You Should Know About the Vietnam Service Medal

Vietnam Veteran Chrome License Plate Frame with 3 Service Medals
Vietnam Veteran 3 Ribbons Metal License Plate Frame

1.) Who Created The Medal?

Lyndon B. Johnson established the medal in 1965.

The design itself is accredited to US Army Heraldry sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones & a woman named Mercedes Lee.

Vietnam Veteran Olive Drab Baseball Cap with 3 Medals/Service Ribbons VetFriends
Vietnam Veteran Hat with Embroidered Ribbon

2.) The colors serve as symbols of the Vietnam War

Red stands for the three Vietnamese empires of Tonkin, Annam, & Conchin China.

Green stands for the Vietnamese jungles.

Yellow stands for the imperial color of Vietnam.

Vietnam Veterans Agent Orange Victims Lapel Pin with Service Medal
Agent Orange Victims Hat/Lapel Pin

3.) A Grim Reminder

The Medal can be received posthumously, and often was.

We salute the brave service members who made the ultimate sacrifice during this time.

Visit the virtual Military Casualty Memorial to pay your respects to those who gave their lives or add your own loved one to the list of heroes.

Vietnam Veteran 3 Medals Decal/Bumper Sticker
Vietnam Veteran Circle Decal Sticker with 3 Medals

4.) The Design of the Medal

The front features a figure of an oriental dragon behind bamboo trees that represents the subversive nature of the conflict, and the inscription reads “REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM SERVICE”.

The back features a crossbow facing upwards that displays the infamous weapon of Vietnam. Also depicted is a fired lighted torch of the Statue of Liberty, with the text, “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”.

Vietnam Veteran Fleece Jacket with Service Ribbon
Vietnam Veteran Embroidered Ribbon Fleece Jacket

5.) Eligibility Requirements

The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to any servicemen and women that served in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and/or Thailand from 1965 to 1973 for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days.

Bronze stars were added to the ribbon based on participation in various campaigns.

The last known date of award for this medal was April 30th, 1975 – about 10 years after the first one was awarded.

All gave some 58479 Gave all Vietnam Veteran T Shirt
Vietnam Veteran All Gave Some, 58479 Gave All T-Shirt

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About Dale Sutcliffe

Owner and Proud Marine Veteran.

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Previous Post: «Vietnam War Soldiers Run Towards a UH-1 Huey 5 Interesting Facts about the Huey
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