Join us for our 2017 reunion by making a reservation today! We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. Just months after taking command, he oversaw the evacuation of thousands of U.S. personnel and Vietnamese military and civilians during Operation Frequent Wind, which took place April 29 and 30, 1975. Also, sometimes the devices to be attached to the ribbons or medals are thrown loosely into your package. Not more than one Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation will be worn by any individual. Southeast Asia, from 1 March 1961 to 15 August 1973, (5). The Vietnam Civilian Service Award is an award of the United States Foreign Service. Any such award shall be made in lieu of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal awarded the individual for participation in Operation Frequent Wind. MARINES THAT WERE AWARDED THE ARMED FORCES EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL FOR PARTICIPATING IN OPERATION FREQUENT WIND FROM 29-30 APRIL 1975 ARE NOW ENTITLED TO EXCHANGE IT FOR THE VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL PER SECTION 542 IN PUBLIC LAW 107-314. Click on unit logos above for eligibility. River Assault Craft. Vietnam Vet receives medals 35 years after service, Combat Action Ribbon-Operation Frequent Wind, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with one Bronze star- Operations Eagle Pull and Frequent Wind, Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze star- Operation Frequent Wind, Humanitarian Service Medal with one Bronze star- Operations Frequent Wind and New Arrival, 1 man hospitalized after shooting in Clifton, per CPD. 15 May 1975. Vietnam Service Medal Display Recognition - William Shakespeare, Henry V, Navy Cross recipients, Distinguished Service Cross recipients, and Medal of Honor recipients from the Navy Mobile Riverine Force and Army 9th Infantry Division. Copies of citations for unit awards you believe you are qualified to receive. To justify citation, the unit must have clearly rendered itself conspicuous by action of a character comparable to that which would merit the award of a Navy Cross to an individual. Members qualified for the AFEM by reason of service between 01Jul1958 and 03Jul1965 (inclusive) in an area for which the Vietnam Service medal (VSM) was subsequently authorized shall remain qualified for that medal. The Vietnam Service Medal may be awarded posthumously. Graco Industries, P.O. Normal performance of duty or in a large number of combat missions does not in itself justify the award. To read a description of each Named Campaign visit THIS website. Explore our Navy section: awards, stories, points of interest, origin of navy terminology and much, much more! Special Warfare Craft (SWCL) Governing Directive: NAVPERS 15665I, U. S. Navy Uniform Regulations, 1. Merchant Marine Vietnam Service Medal, Defense 8 March 1965 to 24 December 1965, Counteroffensive 25 December 1965 to 30 June 1966, Counteroffensive-Phase II 1 July 1966 to 31 May 1967, Counteroffensive-Phase III 1 June 1967 to 29 January 1968, Tet Counteroffensive 30 January 1968 to 1 April 1968, Counteroffensive- Phase IV 2 April 1968 to 30 June 1968, Counteroffensive Phase V 1 July 1968 to 1 November 1968, Counteroffensive Phase VI 2 November 1968 to 22 February 1969, Tet 69/Counteroffensive 23 February 1969 to 8 June 1969, Summer-Fall 1969 9 June 1969 to 31 October 1969, Winter-Spring 1970 1 November 1969 to 30 April 1970, Sanctuary Counteroffensive 1 May 1970 to 30 June 1970, Counteroffensive Phase VII 1 July 1970 to 30 June 1971, Consolidation I 1 July 1971 to 30 November 1971, Consolidation II 1 December 1971 to 29 March 1972, Cease-Fire 30 March 1972 to 28 January 1973, Operation Frequent Wind 29 April to 30 April 1975 (USN, USMC, and USAF ONLY). Your loved ones and friends will appreciate your efforts in a new found way. Four decades later, Salinas veteran awarded medal for service in 5) Select your Ship/Unit from the list. H.J. However, no person shall be entitled to both awards for service in an area for which the VSM has been authorized. The association does not endorse the goods or services provided by the suppliers listed below. 1 Considering the dates prescribed in the legislation, the following combat periods, which were approved under prior direction, are approved to consider awarding of the CAR: World War II 07 December 1941 through 14 April 1946, Korean War 27 June 1950 through 27 July 1954. The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal was awarded for Operation Frequent Wind, http://honours.homestead.com/usafexp.html, Combat Action Ribbon was awarded for Operation FREQUENT WIND. The Vietnam Service Medal is not a unit award but we feel it is important to clear up some concepts regarding campaigns related to the award. Thanks for posting all of this information. The RVN Gallantry Cross was awarded by the Vietnamese Government for valorous combat achievement in four degrees, as follows: (1) With Palm To a unit which is cited before the Armed Forces. Please sign the MRFA guestbook! IK8]%EJ!-b{P?w((mGE.'zRe^7G This group is here so that those of us US Navy folks who participated in the evacuation of Saigon, aka Operation Frequent Wind, can amass and share thoughts, ides, and feelings about that "war. (b) ELIGIBLE VIETNAM EVACUATION VETERAN- For purposes of this section, the term `eligible Vietnam evacuation veteran' means a member or former member of the Armed Forces who was awarded the Armed . After more than four years of trying to acquire the medals on his own through the U.S. Navy and the Department of Defense, Miller turned to Congressman Raul Ruizs office for help. Do they qualify for Combat Action? You should be able to print the citation text. A clarification in your letter may help because all of the unit awards were based on service with particular groups or units for certain time periods. Awarded by SECNAV, CNO or CMC to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps which has distinguished itself, under combat or non-combat conditions, by either valorous or meritorious achievement which renders the unit outstanding compared to other units performing similar service, but not sufficient to justify the award of the Navy Unit Commendation. After 1 July 1958, the Joint Chiefs of Staff will designate U.S. military operations that qualify for the AFEM, and they will specify the degree of participation in designated operations warranting award of the medal. The (2) RVN awards below are Ribbon Only awards The Medal is issued when citing an individual. PDF VietnamEvacuation: Operation FREQUENTWIND There is also a Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60s Deviceissued by the former South Vietnamese government. Servicemembers who earned the AFEM for Operation FREQUENT WIND, between 29 and 30 April 1975, may elect to receive the VSM instead of the AFEM. Notes pertinent to the display of certain medals and ribbons, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, Searching for Your Personal Navy Unit Awards, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60s Device, Mobile Riverine Force Navy Unit Awards List, Sources for Purchasing Medals and Ribbons. The package you receive in a less than ceremonious way contains items which may be important for you to bring a little greater sense of closure to a chapter in your life for which you can be proud. The Military Departments are responsible for determining individual. Mike obtained sworn statements from others in his unit, and with the help of Speaker of the House John Boehner's Office, he was able to receive VA benefits and treatment. N2c` 0"""""!aa8!d8"?KfLuYg,GbeuGF)$v\RLv2W"!!@f8``}BC!xH)v`aSA4GBH!"0L.A! c. U.S. Navy personnel who served as advisors to the Vietnamese Navy personnel in an in-charge position, and officers and enlisted whose units were turned over to the Vietnamese Navy before they had acquired the requisite 6 months eligibility as stated above, are authorized to wear the insignia provided the total operational time and advisory time on the craft equal 6 or more months. 17) Vietnam Ceasefire Campaign 30 March 1972 28 January 1973 A. It will be up to you to provide the evidence to the records center which will convince them you actually deserve the award. Awarded by the Secretary of the Navy to any unit the Navy or Marine Corps which has distinguished itself by outstanding heroism in action against the enemy, but not sufficient to justify the award of the Presidential Unit Citation; or to any such unit which has distinguished itself by extremely meritorious service not involving combat but in support of military operations, rendering the unit outstanding compared to other units performing similar service. 16) Consolidation II 1 December 1971 29 March 1972 I was present as a Marine attached to the USS Denver during Operation Frequent Wind during April and part of May in 1975. I was awarded the VSM as well. Awarded for active participation in ground or air combat during specifically listed military operations. 3) Click on Query Unit Awards in the upper right hand corner b?mP7B 0[Rx$nhN,D;Ne~, A couple of words of caution: The Navy wears all unit ribbons on the left breast in a main ribbon cluster. Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Lebanon, Dominican Republic, Panama, Haiti, Somalia, Bosnia, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, Copyright 1997-2021 - USMC Combat Helicopter & Tiltrotor Association, USMC Combat Helicopter & Tiltrotor Association. f!v/R _Ij_AvHnEA=PR0Vv=)=$DM^/_{P. National Defense Service Medal . Awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the air space thereof, between 03Jul1965 and 28Mar1973 and 29Apr75 thru 30April75, serving in direct support of operations in Vietnam. Personnel in riverine and coastal operations, assaults, patrols, sweeps, ambushes, convoys, amphibious landings, and similar activities who have participated in fire fights are eligible. Miller, 62, an Indio High School graduate who served in the Navy from October 1972 to September 1975, was a gunners mate aboard the USS Blue Ridge, a command and control ship that carried the Navy admiral and Marine general in charge of operations in the area. Vietnam Service Medal - Wikipedia This one guy did about seven or eight of em I guess he liked doing it but he shouldnt have because he banked this helo, and it went up and he hit the water and that thing went right on top of him. USS Midway (CV-41) - Wikipedia 40 years later, Vietnam vet will finally get his medals 4. The following amplifying remarks are furnished as guidance. The transmittal letter is usually folded and placed in a slot on the outside of the manila envelope with your return address showing.