Miniature six-pointed white enamel star with gilt graduated rays between the arms and on inverted isosceles trapezoid ribbon bar; the face with a gilt-edged circular central green enamel medallion bearing a gilt map of Vietnam with three red enamel flames at the then border between North and South Vietnam; the reverse with a circular central laterally-hatched medallion with a central plaque inscribed ‘VIET-NAM’ within a ring inscribed ‘CHIEN-DICH’ (Campaign) above and ‘BOI-TINH’ (Medal) below; diameter 17.73mm (0.7 inch). The Medal was instituted in 1961 and awarded for six months’ service in the Republic of Vietnam or outside the Republic but in direct combat support of its Forces between 1 March 1961 and 28 March 1973. Those wounded or killed in action or taken prisoner qualified immediately irrespective of length of service. The bar was intended to bear the start (1960) and end years of the Vietnam War but since it culminated in defeat for the South, the latter date was never added.
|