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.
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.
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.
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”.

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.
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