Vietnam Service Medal

In July of 1960 President Lyndon Johnson issued and Executive Order establishing the Vietnam Service Medal as his first entry into the medals of America. These US military medals are issued to recognize service by any member of the US military during the Vietnam War. These military ribbons and medals were presented for 31 days or more of consecutive duty, or 60 days of non-consecutive duty with one or more organizations participating in direct support of ground operations, or for service aboard naval vessels in support of military operations in the Republic or Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia or Laos, between the dates of November 1961 and March of 1973. These military medals were also issued for service on the two days at the end of April of 1975. The Air Force awards these military medals for personnel who flew missions over Vietnam air space.

The Defense Department divides the Vietnam War into 30 military campaigns, and awards Service Stars to one or more service branches for participation in each of them. The Arrowhead Device is authorized for certain amphibious assaults, as is the Fleet Marine Force Combat Operation Insignia. The Vietnam Service Medal is worn below the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and above the Southwest Asia Service Medal in the general order of precedence that has been established governing the proper display of all military ribbons and medals in uniform award displays. The Vietnam Service Medal is generally available as Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Awards, and can be worn as traditional full size military medals, mini medals, military ribbons and lapel pins. They are available as traditional slide-on, full size military medals, mini-medals, and slide-on military ribbons, or in the newer, custom thin mini-medals and ultra thin military ribbons which are being embraced by members of the modern military who value their sleeker appearance as a competitive edge that promotes their advancement through the ranks of their respective services.