History
The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal was awarded by the Government of the Republic of Vietnam, or South Vietnam, to its own forces and to the allied forces who served alongside them in the Vietnam War. It was awarded to Australian personnel for service in South Vietnam during the period from 31 July 1962 to 28 March 1973, and was always issued with a scroll device on the ribbon inscribed 1960.
The 1960 device was meant to mark the span of the war, with a closing year to be added once South Vietnam had prevailed. On 30 April 1975 Saigon fell and the Republic ceased to exist, so the ending year was never struck. Across the war Australians served in South Vietnam in the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, and as a foreign award the medal is worn after Australian honours.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The medal is a gold six pointed star with rays, overlaid by a white enamelled star, with a green central disc bearing the outline of Vietnam and a red flame. The reverse carries a band inscribed CHIEN DICH, meaning Campaign, above and BOI TINH, meaning Medal, below, with the word VIET-NAM across the centre. It hangs from a bar carrying the scroll device.
The ribbon
Green with three white stripes, worn with the 1960 scroll.
The ribbon is green with three white stripes. A scroll device inscribed 1960 is worn on the ribbon of the full size medal, and a smaller device inscribed 60 on the ribbon bar.
Eligibility
The medal was awarded for service in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
- At least 181 days of service, either continuous or aggregated, was generally required;
- Those killed in action, wounded in action, or captured were eligible regardless of the number of days served;
- The Australian qualifying period ran from 31 July 1962 to 28 March 1973;
- 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 was the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal awarded for?
Service in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War, awarded by the Republic of Vietnam to its own forces and to the allied forces who served alongside them, including Australians.
What was the Australian qualifying period?
From 31 July 1962 to 28 March 1973, with at least 181 days of service, continuous or aggregated, unless service was cut short by a battle casualty.
What does the 1960 device mean?
It is a scroll device inscribed 1960, marking the start of the period of the war. The closing year was never added because South Vietnam fell in 1975.
What does the medal show?
A gold and white star with a green central disc bearing the outline of Vietnam, and a reverse reading CHIEN DICH and BOI TINH, Campaign Medal, about the word VIET-NAM.
What are the ribbon colours?
Green with three white stripes, worn with the 1960 scroll device.
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.