What is the Meaning of Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars?

Answer 1

The Vietnam Service Medal is presented to any service member who served on temporary duty for more than 30 consecutive days, or 60 non-consecutive days, attached to or regularly serving for one, or more, days with an organization participating in or directly supporting ground (military) operations or attached to or regularly serving for one, or more, days aboard a naval vessel directly supporting military operations in the Republic of Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos within the defined combat zone (DoD 1348 C6.6.1.1.5. revised September 1996) between the dates of 15 November 1961 and 28 March 1973, and from 29 April 1975 to 30 April 1975.

The Department of Defense established thirty military campaigns during the Vietnam War which covered all services. For those service members participating in one or more campaigns, a 3/16-inch service star (formerly a "campaign star" or "engagement star") is authorized to be attached to the Vietnam Service Medal suspension and service ribbonto indicate participation in each campaign. Silver campaign stars are issued in lieu of five bronze campaign stars. The arrowhead device is authorized for campaign participation which involved an aerial or amphibious assault. A list of authorized campaigns is below:

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 only) 29 April 1975 30 April 1975

Answer 2

The Vietnam Service Medal is presented to any service member who served on temporary duty for more than 30 consecutive days, or 60 non-consecutive days, attached to or regularly serving for one, or more, days with an organization participating in or directly supporting ground (military) operations or attached to or regularly serving for one, or more, days aboard a naval vessel directly supporting military operations in the Republic of Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos within the defined combat zone (DoD 1348 C6.6.1.1.5. revised September 1996) between the dates of 15 November 1961 and 28 March 1973, and from 29 April 1975 to 30 April 1975.

The Department of Defense established thirty military campaigns during the Vietnam War which covered all services. For those service members participating in one or more campaigns, a 3/16-inch service star (formerly a "campaign star" or "engagement star") is authorized to be attached to the Vietnam Service Medal suspension and service ribbonto indicate participation in each campaign. Silver campaign stars are issued in lieu of five bronze campaign stars. The arrowhead device is authorized for campaign participation which involved an aerial or amphibious assault. A list of authorized campaigns is below:

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 only) 29 April 1975 30 April 1975

Answer 3

Each bronze star represents participating in a campaign during the Vietnam War. Silver campaign stars are issued in lieu of five bronze campaign stars.

Answer 4

As a Marine, a tour was 13 months, and if in the U.S. after 6 months you could go back and do another Tour. That should solve the Tour issue.

When you arrive in VN the Vietnam, South gives you a ribbon.

Also the U.S. it's the yellow on with stripes.

OK During VN like many other wars there are campaigns special efforts generally including LARGE forces and major efforts and often going on for 90 days These are campaigns and if you are involved in one or more for thirty days or more you get a Star.

So you get one for being there, but after that you need to be in a campaign.

I have three bronze stars. Ribbon for being there and then 3 campaigns. Most Marines have 1 star, some have NONE; but as a combination Grunt/ Tank Crewman sent all over North S.VN near the DMZ I have three. Example, my wounded sent home brother after after 4 months has a PUrple heart and NO stars.. Million Dollar wound

So In 1968 there were 6 phases of the TET offensive and I was in three of them each were campaigns. I was in North S.VN near the DMZ and Laos for 270 days...

semper fi

Answer 5

I sent detailed msg, send email to rawbert49@_wavecable._com for more info . HINT leave out underscores

:)