Vietnam Service Mini MedalVietnam Service Medal - Miniature
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 military 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 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