The Gallantry Cross (Vietnamese: Anh Dũng Bội Tinh) is a military decoration of the former

Government ofSouth Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam). The medal was created on August 15, 1950
and was awarded to military personnel, civilians, and Armed Forces units and organizations in
recognition of deeds of valor or heroic conduct while in combat with the enemy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallantry_Cross_(Vietnam)#Notable_recipients

The National Order of Vietnam (Vietnamese: Bảo quốc Huân chương) was a combined military-
civilian decoration of South Vietnam and was considered the highest honor that could be
bestowed upon an individual by the Republic of Vietnam government.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Order_of_Vietnam
The Vietnamese Military Merit Medal (Vietnamese: Quân công bội tinh) was the highest military
decoration bestowed to enlisted personnel, by the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) during
the years of the Vietnam War. The medal was established on August 15, 1950. The Military Merit
Medal was modelled after the FrenchMédaille Militaire and was awarded mostly to Enlisted Men
for valor in combat. The Vietnamese National Order of Vietnam was considered the equivalent
decoration for military officers.

The United States military authorized the Military Merit Medal as a foreign decoration and
permitted the medal to be worn on U.S. uniforms by enlisted personnel.[2] A high number Military
Merit Medals were issuedposthumously as the medal was most often awarded to United States
servicemen who were killed in action. The Military Merit Medal was last issued to U.S. personnel
in 1973 and was discontinued after the fall of South Vietnam in 1975. The decoration is now only
available through private dealers in military insignia.

Civil Actions Medal is a military decoration of the former Government of the Republic of
Vietnam (South Vietnam). The medal was created on May 12, 1964 during the Vietnam War. The
Civil Actions Medal was awarded to the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces and its Allies military
personnel or units that performed outstanding achievements in the field of civil affairs. The medal
was awarded in two classes, with the first class intended for commissioned officers and the
second class for enlisted personnel. Individuals who were cited received the medal and a
citation.[3]

The Republic of Vietnam authorized members of a unit awarded the Civil Action medal to wear
the Civil Actions Unit Citation Emblem with Palm and Frame (Civil Actions Medal, First Class
color). Only one unit citation emblem with palm and frame could be worn on the service uniform.
No medal is authorized for this citation.
The Vietnam Campaign Medal (Vietnamese: Chiến Dịch Bội Tinh) is a military campaign
medal that was awarded by the South Vietnamese government. Established in 1964, it was
awarded to members the Republic of Vietnam Military Forces for direct participation in major
military operations. The medal was also awarded to foreign military personnel for service in
Vietnam. The medal was awarded for two different periods of service. The first period was from 8
March 1949 to 20 July 1954. The second period was from 1 January 1960 to a date to be
determined. The government of South Vietnam ceased to exist before an ending period was
decided.

The Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) is an award of the United States Armed Forces established
in 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The distinctive design has been attributed to
both sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones, a former employee of the Army Institute of Heraldry.[1] and
Mercedes Lee.[2] The medal is issued to recognize military service during the Vietnam War and is
authorized to service members in every branch of theU.S. Armed Forces, provided they meet the
qualification criteria in United States Department of Defenseregulation DoD 1348.
Campaigns[edit]
The Department of Defense established thirty military campaigns during the Vietnam War which
covered all service branches. In 2010, the Department of Defense consolidated the original list of
campaigns from the original 30 to a list of 18 by combining the Air Force campaign list with the
other armed services. The United States Army, and Coast Guard recognize seventeen 3/16"
service stars (also known as campaign stars; 3 silver and 2 bronze stars) on the Vietnam
Servicecampaign streamer.[7][8] Additionally, the United States Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force
recognize Operation Frequent Wind.[9][10]

Department of Defense consolidated campaign periods[edit]

DoD Consolidated Campaign Periods for All Services

Name of Campaign Start Date End Date

Vietnam Advisory Campaign[a] 15 March 1962 7 March 1965

Vietnam Defense Campaign[a] 8 March 1965 24 December 1965

Vietnam Counteroffensive.[a] 25 December 1965 30 June 1966

Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase II[a] 1 July 1966 31 May 1967

Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase III[a] 1 June 1967 29 January 1968

Tet Counteroffensive[a] 30 January 1968 1 April 1968

Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase IV[a] 2 April 1968 30 June 1968

Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase V[a] 1 July 1968 1 November 1968

Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase VI[a] 2 November 1968 22 February 1969

Tet 69 Counteroffensive[b][a] 23 February 1969 8 June 1969

Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969[b][a] 9 June 1969 31 October 1969

Vietnam Winter-Spring 1970[b][a] 1 November 1969 30 April 1970

Sanctuary Counteroffensive[b][a] 1 May 1970 30 June 1970

Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase VII[a] 1 July 1970 30 June 1971

Consolidation I[a] 1 July 1971 30 November 1971

Consolidation II[a] 1 December 1971 29 March 1972

Vietnam Cease-fire[a] 30 March 1972 28 January 1973

Operation Frequent Wind[b][a] (USN USMC USAF

29 April 1975 30 April 1975
only)

USAF original campaign periods[edit]

 Original USAF Campaign Periods Before DoD Consolidation

Name of campaign Start Date End Date

Vietnam Initial Advisory Campaign[b] 15 November 1961 1 March 1965

Vietnam Air Defensive Campaign[b] 2 March 1965 30 January 1966

Vietnam Air Counteroffensive[b] 31 January 1966 28 June 1966

Vietnam Air Offensive[b] 29 June 1966 8 March 1967

Vietnam Air Offensive Phase II[b] 9 March 1967 31 March 1967

Vietnam Air/Ground Campaign[b] 22 January 1968 7 July 1968

Vietnam Air Offensive Phase III[b] 1 Apr 1968 31 October 1968

Vietnam Air Offensive Phase IV[b] 1 November 1968 22 February 1969

Tet 69 Counteroffensive[b][a] 23 February 1969 8 June 1969

Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969[b][a] 9 June 1969 31 October 1969

Vietnam Winter-Spring 1970[b][a] 1 November 1969 30 April 1970

Sanctuary Counteroffensive[b][a] 1 May 1970 30 June 1970

Southwest Monsoon[b] 1 July 1970 30 November 1970

Commando Hunt V[b] 1 December 1970 14 May 1971

Commando Hunt VI[b] 15 May 1971 31 October 1971

Commando Hunt VII[b] 1 November 1971 29 March 1972

Vietnam Cease-fire[a] 30 March 1972 28 January 1973

Operation Frequent Wind[b][a] 29 April 1975 30 April 1975

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam_Service_Medal