History
The Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, the Gallantry Cross, was created in 1950 by the Republic of Vietnam and awarded to service members, civilians and units for acts of valour or heroic conduct in combat. It was modelled on the French Croix de Guerre, and became the most commonly awarded Vietnamese decoration to allied personnel after the campaign medal.
The individual medal was awarded to a number of Australians by the Government of the Republic of Vietnam in recognition of individual acts of gallantry. It is distinct from the Cross of Gallantry with Palm unit citation, which was awarded to units. The award is made in degrees, each marked by a device on the ribbon, and as a foreign award it is worn after Australian honours.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The medal is a gold cross about thirty five millimetres wide, formed of a cross with a wreath and two crossed swords behind it. At its centre a disc bears the map of Vietnam between palm sprigs, with a scroll reading QUOC GIA LAO TUONG, meaning Reward of the State.
The ribbon
Red with a broad central yellow stripe, the colours of South Vietnam.
The ribbon is red with a broad central yellow stripe finely striped with red, the colours of South Vietnam. The degree of the award is shown by a device on the ribbon: a palm for a citation at the armed forces level, and a gold, silver or bronze star for a citation at the corps, division, or regiment level. A higher device replaces a lower one rather than being worn beside it.
Eligibility
The cross was awarded for acts of valour or heroic conduct in combat.
- It was awarded to the forces of South Vietnam, and to the allied forces serving in support of them;
- The individual medal was awarded to a number of Australians for individual acts of gallantry in the Vietnam War;
- The degree of the award is shown by a palm or a star device on the ribbon;
- As a foreign award it is worn in the Australian Order of Wearing after Australian and Commonwealth honours.
Order of wear
In the Australian Order of Wearing, foreign awards are worn after Australian honours and Commonwealth awards, in the order set for foreign awards, generally by the date of the service for which they were given. A foreign award is worn only where its acceptance and wear have been approved.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry?
South Vietnam's decoration for valour, modelled on the French Croix de Guerre, awarded for acts of gallantry or heroic conduct in combat.
What is the Australian connection?
The individual medal was awarded to a number of Australians by the Government of the Republic of Vietnam for individual acts of gallantry in the Vietnam War.
How is the medal different from the unit citation?
The individual medal is awarded to a person for an act of gallantry; the Cross of Gallantry with Palm unit citation is awarded to a unit and worn as a framed ribbon emblem.
What do the ribbon devices mean?
They mark the level of the citation: a palm for the armed forces level, and a gold, silver or bronze star for the corps, division or regiment level.
What does the cross show?
A gold cross with a wreath and two crossed swords, a central disc bearing the map of Vietnam between palm sprigs, and a scroll reading Reward of the State.
How is it worn in Australia?
As a foreign award it is worn after Australian and Commonwealth honours, in the order set for foreign awards.