Decorations Earned In Vietnam
by the
3rd Squadron 5th Armored Cavalry
as well as those earned by individuals
Seven Presidential Unit Citations, 19-20 March 1967 (Battle of Ap
Bau Bang), 10-21 May 1969 (Operation Apache Snow).
The Presidential Unit Citation is awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the
United States and co-belligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in
action against an armed enemy occurring on or after 7 December 1941. The unit
must display such gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing
its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions as to set it
apart and above other units participating in the same campaign. The degree of
heroism required is the same as that which would warrant award of a
Distinguished Service Cross to an individual. Extended periods of combat duty or
participation in a large number of operational missions, either ground or air is
not sufficient. This award will normally be earned by units that have
participated in single or successive actions covering relatively brief time
spans. It is not reasonable to presume that entire units can sustain
Distinguished Service Cross performance for extended time periods except under
the most unusual circumstances. Only on rare occasions will a unit larger than
battalion qualify for award of this decoration.
A blue streamer with the name of the action embroidered in white. The streamer represents a degree of heroism required that would warrant award of the Distinguished Service Cross to an individual
The earned honor device is embroidered in yellow two inches from the end of the streamer to indicate the battalion of a regiment that has the device actually participated in the campaign. Prior to the Korean War, if one battalion of the regiment received campaign credit, all battalions received campaign credit participation; however, only those battalions that earned the credit would receive the earned honor device. Since the Korean War, only those battalions of the regiment that receive campaign participation credit are authorized to display the streamer. The campaigns on the battalion's lineage and honors are indicated by an asterisk if the earned honor device is authorized
The streamer has a yellow center stripe with a red stripe on each edge. Eight pairs of thin red lines are on the yellow stripe. The inscription is white. A bronze palm is centered between the hoist end of the streamer and the first letter of the inscription
The earned honor device is embroidered in yellow two inches from the end of the streamer to indicate the battalion of a regiment that has the device actually participated in the campaign. Prior to the Korean War, if one battalion of the regiment received campaign credit, all battalions received campaign credit participation; however, only those battalions that earned the credit would receive the earned honor device. Since the Korean War, only those battalions of the regiment that receive campaign participation credit are authorized to display the streamer. The campaigns on the battalion's lineage and honors are indicated by an asterisk if the earned honor device is authorized.
Three Vietnamese Civil Action Honor Medals,
First Class, 19 December 1966-15 February 1968 19 December 1966-28,
June 1969.
The Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal was awarded as an individual foreign
award to some members of the United States Army. The unit citation of the
Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal was awarded certain units by the
Vietnamese government for meritorious service during the period 1 March 1961 to
28 March 1974. Individuals who received the RVN Civil Actions Medal as an
individual award are authorized to wear the medal. Personnel assigned to an unit
which was awarded the medal are authorized to wear the unit award emblem
The streamer is green with a red stripe near each edge and two red center stripes. The inscription is white and a bronze palm is centered between the hoist end and the first letter of the inscription
The earned honor device is embroidered in yellow two inches from the end of the streamer to indicate the battalion of a regiment that has the device actually participated in the campaign. Prior to the Korean War, if one battalion of the regiment received campaign credit, all battalions received campaign credit participation; however, only those battalions that earned the credit would receive the earned honor device. Since the Korean War, only those battalions of the regiment that receive campaign participation credit are authorized to display the streamer. The campaigns on the battalion's lineage and honors are indicated by an asterisk if the earned honor device is authorized
Six Valorous Unit Awards, 27 & 28 June 1968
(Battle of Binh An), 31 January 1968 (Bien Hoa AFB, Tet 1968), 2 & 3 February
1968 (Xuan Loc, Tet 1968).
The Valorous Unit Award is to be awarded to
units of the Armed Forces of the United States for extraordinary heroism in
action against an armed enemy of the United States while engaged in military
operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force or while serving
with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing
armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent part for actions
occurring on or after 3 August 1963. The Valorous Unit Award requires a lesser
degree of gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps than that required for
the Presidential Unit Citation. Nevertheless, the unit must have performed with
marked distinction under difficult and hazardous conditions in accomplishing its
mission so as to set it apart from the other units participating in the same
conflict. The degree of heroism required is the same as that which would warrant
award of the Silver Star to an individual. Extended periods of combat duty or
participation in a large number of operational missions, either ground or air,
is not sufficient. This award will normally be earned by units that have
participated in single or successive actions covering relatively brief time
spans. It is not reasonable to presume that entire units can sustain Silver Star
performance for extended time periods under the most unusual circumstances. Only
on rare occasions will a unit larger than a battalion qualify for this award.
The streamer is the same pattern as the Silver Star Medal ribbon consisting of a blue ribbon with a red center stripe with a white stripe on each side of the center and a narrow white stripe on the blue. The name of the action is embroidered in yellow.
The earned honor device is embroidered in yellow two inches from the end of the streamer to indicate the battalion of a regiment that has the device actually participated in the campaign. Prior to the Korean War, if one battalion of the regiment received campaign credit, all battalions received campaign credit participation; however, only those battalions that earned the credit would receive the earned honor device. Since the Korean War, only those battalions of the regiment that receive campaign participation credit are authorized to display the streamer. The campaigns on the battalion's lineage and honors are indicated by an asterisk if the earned honor device is authorized.
T
he C.I.B., Combat
Infantry Badge.
Symbolism: The bar is blue, the color associated with the Infantry
branch. The musket is adapted from the Infantry insignia of branch and
represents the first official U.S. shoulder arm, the 1795 model Springfield
Arsenal musket. It was adopted as the official Infantry branch insignia in 1924.
The oak symbolizes steadfastness, strength and loyalty.
Award Eligibility: Awarded to personnel in the grade of Colonel or below
with an infantry or special forces military occupational specialty who have
satisfactorily performed duty while assigned as a member of an infantry/special
forces unit, brigade or smaller size, during any period subsequent to 6 December
1941 when the unit was engaged in active ground combat. The policy was expanded
to permit award to Command Sergeants Major of infantry battalions or brigades,
effective 1 December 1967. Specific criteria for each conflict was also
established. Only one award is authorized for service in Vietnam, Laos, the
Dominican Republic, Korea (subsequent to 4 January 1969), El Salvador, Grenada,
Panama, the Southwest Asia and Somalia, regardless of whether an individual has
served in one or more of these areas. The complete criteria for each area and
inclusive dates are listed in Army Regulation 600-8-22.
The Combat Medic Badge.
DESCRIPTION: An oxidized silver badge 1 inch in height and 1 ½ inches in width, consisting of a stretcher crossed by a caduceus surmounted at top by a Greek cross, all on and over an elliptical oak wreath. Stars are added to indicate subsequent awards; one star at top for the second award, one star at top and one at bottom for the third award, one star at top and one at each side for the fourth award.
II. SYMBOLISM: The Medical Corps insignia of branch, modified by the addition of a Greek cross suggesting the Geneva Convention between the wings and the entwined serpents, signifies the recipient’s skills and expertise. It is superimposed upon a stretcher alluding to medical field service. The oak symbolizes steadfastness, strength and loyalty.
III. AWARD ELIGIBILITY: Awarded to members of the Army Medical Department, Naval Medical Department, Air Force Medical Service or Special Forces Medical Sergeant who are in the grade of Colonel or below while assigned or attached to a medical unit of company or smaller size organic to an infantry/special forces unit during any period the unit was engaged in active ground combat subsequent to 6 December 1941. Only one award is authorized for service in Vietnam, Laos, the Dominican Republic, Korea (subsequent to 4 January 1969), El Salvador, Grenada, Panama, Southwest Asia and Somalia, regardless of whether an individual has served in one or more of these areas. Specific eligibility requirements by geographic area are listed in Army Regulation 600-8-22.
The Purple Heart
The oldest of our military awards, the predecessor for the Purple heart was George Washington's "Badge of Military Merit" (1782). Washington's award was resurrected in 1932 as the Purple Heart and is awarded to any person wounded in action while serving in any of our Armed Forces. It is also presented posthumously to the next of kin of personnel killed in action or who die of wounds sustained in action.
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal is awarded to personnel who meet one of
the following requirements: a) Served in the Republic of Vietnam for six months
during the period of 1 March 1961 and 28 March 1973. b) Served outside the
geographical limits of the Republic of Vietnam and contributed direct combat
support to the Republic of Vietnam and Armed Forces for six months. Such
individuals must meet the criteria established for the Armed Forces
Expeditionary Medal (for Vietnam) or the Vietnam Service Medal, to qualify for
the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. c) Six months service is not required
for individuals who were wounded by hostile forces; killed in action or
otherwise in line of duty; or captured by hostile forces.
Vietnam Service Medal
Awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States serving in Vietnam and contiguous waters or airspace there over, after 3 July 1965 through 28 March 1973. Members of the Armed Forces of the United States in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia, or the airspace there over, during the same period and serving in direct support of operations in Vietnam are also eligible for this award. To be eligible for award of the medal, individual must- -
(1) Be attached to or regularly serve for one or more days with an organization participating in or directly supporting military operations; or
(2) Be attached to or regularly serve for one or more days aboard a naval vessel directly supporting military operations; or
(3) Actually participate as a crewmember in one or more aerial flights into airspace above Vietnam and contiguous waters directly supporting military operations; or
(4) Serve on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days in Vietnam or contiguous areas, except that the time limit may be waived for personnel participating in actual combat operations.
b. Individuals qualified for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for service in Vietnam between 1 July 1958 and 3 July 1965 shall remain qualified for the medal. Upon request, the individual may be awarded the Vietnam Service Medal in lieu of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. In such instances, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal will be deleted from the list of authorized medals in the individual’s personnel records. No person shall be entitled to both awards for Vietnam Service.
Units we were with
during the years we were in
Vietnam
