Vietnam Service Medal

BACK DEVICE(s)

Description:

1. Authorized by Executive Order 11231
2. Awarded to all Service members of the Armed Forces who, between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, served in the following areas of Southeast Asia.
   •  In Vietnam and the contiguous waters or airspace thereover.
   • In Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the airspace, thereover, and in direct support of operations in Vietnam.
     
     
3. Attaching Devices authorized by individual services:
   • Arrowhead Device - the device is 1/4" high and denotes participation by personnel in a combat parachute jump, helicopter assault landing, combat glider landing, or amphibious assault landing while assigned or attached as a member of an organized force carrying out an assigned tactical mission. The device is worn on both the service and suspension ribbons. Only one arrowhead is worn on any one service ribbon. When worn the point of the arrowhead is oriented up and the device is worn to the right of any service or campaign stars. (SEE BELOW)
   • Marine Corps Device - The device is 5/16" high and authorized for NAVY personnel attached to Fleet Marine Force units participating in combat operations. The device is worn centered on the ribbon and campaign stars are placed alternately on on either side of the device. The first star is placed to the right of the device.

Background:

1. Arrowhead device authorized only for members of the 173d Airborne Brigade who actually participated in the landing in the vicinity of Katum, Republic of Vietnam, between the hours of 0800-0907, inclusive on February 27, 1967. A bronze service star affixed to the Parachutist Badge is authorized for members of the 173d Airborne Brigade for participation in combat parachute jump on February 22, 1967 per Department of the Army General Orders 18, 1979. (Per Federal Register dtd 05 April 2006)
2. On 21 August 1964, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel (DCSPER) requested that The Institute of Heraldry provide proposed designs for the possible adoption of a Vietnam Service Medal. Proposed designs were submitted to DCSPER on 29 September 1964. The Vietnam Service Medal was established by Executive Order 11231, dated 8 July 1965. The design approved by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, 12 July 1965, and the policy for award was promulgated by DOD Directive 1348.15, dated 1 October 1965.
3. Persons receiving the Vietnam Service Medal are authorized to wear a bronze star to indicate each campaign. There are 17 designated campaigns during the period of 15 March 1962 through 28 January 1973.

The Office of the Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness maintains a list of "Approved Military Decorations and Awards" which is a roster of the approved Joint DoD awards and/or operations for which the medal is authorized.
This is the Vietnam Service Medal approved award/operations. as of the date shown in the document. You may want to verify if it has been updated at The Office of the Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness (linked above)