NOTE:    The following information on VIETNAM Unit Awards and Campaign Participation, is based on OP-09B33, 9 February 1994 computer listings,  pages 34, 35, 241 and 242.    These listings were provided to me by the Chief of Naval Operations (N09B33 - Navy Awards Branch), in a letter dated 6 January 1999.

Individual awards information and the request for awards verification format, are based on SECNAVINST 1650.1F, of 8 August 1991 (Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual).

In April 2004 the Navy started up a new awards website called NDAWS (see below) that allows you to look up your own, individual, personal awards. However be aware that the longer ago you left the active navy the longer it will be before your award record appears on the site. All personnel should have their records posted by approximately 2008 (latest estimate).


This is a general public accessible site.

ndaws.gif (18572 bytes)

You can access NDAWS by double-clicking on the above image or by going to:

https://awards.navy.mil

 

     smallswiftpin.jpg (20342 bytes)         USN seal.jpg (18571 bytes)           newbadge.gif (18591 bytes)

Unit Awards

 

puc.gif (235 bytes)           Presidential Unit Citation

* Task Group 194.0 - Operation Sea Lords - 18 October 1968 to 5 December 1968           Award Citation

Coastal Divisions 11 and 13 - PCFs 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 17, 25, 28, 31, 32, 34, 36, 37, 38, 40, 43, 50, 51, 53, 54, 59, 60, 67, 69, 70, 71, 72, 75, 82, 88, 93, 94, 95, 96, 98, 99, 102 and 103

Authority - BUPERSNOTE 1650 of 18 February 1971

 

* Task Force 115 - Units participating in Operation Swift Raider - 6 December 1968 to 31 March 1969        Award Citation

Coastal Divisions 11, 12 and 13 - PCFs 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 32, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 43, 44, 49, 50, 51, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 67, 69, 70, 71, 72, 75, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 86, 88, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102 and 103

Authority - BUPERSNOTE 1650 of 18 February 1971

nuc.gif (361 bytes)           Navy Unit Commendation

* Task Group 194.6 - Rach Gia Interdiction Group - 7 November 1968 to 17 December 1968          Award Citation

Coastal Division 11

Authority - SECNAVINST 1650.1D of 10 October 1970

 

* Task Group 115.7 - Units participating in Operation Sea Float - 24 June 1969 to 24 October 1969          Award Citation

Coastal Divisions 11 and 13 - PCFs 3, 5, 9, 10, 12, 17, 18, 22, 25, 26, 27, 31, 32, 35, 38, 40, 45, 50, 51, 52, 56, 62, 64, 71, 72, 82, 93, 94, 96 and 103

Authority - BUPERSNOTE 1650 of 8 March 1971

 

* Task Force 115 - 1 January 1967 to 31 March 1968         Award Citation

Coastal Squadron 1, Coastal Divisions 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15

Authority - BUPERSNOTE 1650 of 18 May 1971

 

* Coastal Squadron One Staff - 1 January 1967 to 31 March 1968

 

* Coastal Division 17 - 5 March 1968 to 15 June 1968

nmu.gif (457 bytes)           Meritorious Unit Commendation

* Coastal Division 13 - 8 July 1969 to 8 August 1969

PCFs 17, 21, 25, 28, 32, 37, 46, 54, 60, 61, 67, 73, 92, 97, 100 and 103

Authority - BUPERSNOTE 1650 of 18 February 1971

 

* Coastal Division 12 - PCFs 20 and 39

Authority - BUPERSNOTE 1650 of 8 March 1971

 

* Task Group 115.1 - Units participating in Operation Sea Tiger - 1 November 1968 to 20 January 1970          Award Citation

Coastal Division 12

Authority - BUPERSNOTE 1650 of 21 July 1971

 

* Task Force 115 - 19 December 1969 to 16 November 1970 and  23 November 1970 to 1 March 1972          Award Citation
                                 - 2 March 1972 to 15 December 1972

Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation

Awarded by the Chief of the Joint General Staff, Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces in two colors:

Gallantry Cross Medal Color with Palm and Civil Actions Medal, First Class Color with Palm

The Secretary of the Navy has specifically authorized certain units of the naval service to accept this award.   Such authorization is required in all cases for participation.

Eligibility Requirements: The ribbon bar with frame and palm are authorized for wear by personnel who served with certain cited units in Southeast Asia during the approved periods.

 gcuc-v.gif (2473 bytes)

 Gallantry Cross Medal, with Frame and Palm
gallantrymed.gif (15859 bytes) BoatRon1 9 November 1965 to 8 November 1966
Coastal Division 11 1 January 1966 to 1 January 1967
21 November 1968 to 21 November 1970
Coastal Division 12 1 October 1967 to 15 December 1968
21 September 1969 to 21 November 1970
Coastal Division 13 21 November 1968 to 21 November 1970
Coastal Division 14 21 November 1968 to 21 November 1970
Coastal Division 15 21 November 1968 to 21 November 1970
Coastal Division 16 21 November 1968 to 21 November 1970
Coastal Division 17 5 March 1968 to 20 September 1969
Coastal Flotilla One Staff 21 November 1968 to 21 November 1970
* Service on the below listed PCFs 13 January 1966 to 20 September 1969
PCFs 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 27, 39, 46, 51, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 61, 65, 69, 70, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 99, 101 and 139

Authority - SECNAVINST 1650.33 of 18 November 1970

NOTE:

 In addition to those specific units listed above, all Navy and Marine Corps personnel who served "in country" Vietnam are eligible for this award for
the period 8 February 1962 to 28 March 1973 since the Republic of Vietnam Government awarded it to Commander, U.S. Military Assistance Command
and all subordinate units.
 cauc-v.gif (2207 bytes) Civil Actions Medal, First Class Color,  with Palm
civilactionmed.gif (9151 bytes) All Navy and Marine Corps personnel who served "in country" Vietnam are eligible for this award for the period 1 January 1965 to 28 March 1973 since the Republic of Vietnam Government awarded it to Commander, U.S. Forces Vietnam and all subordinate units.

 

Letter of Appreciation

Captain David P. Marion, USA - Thanh Phu District Senior Advisor

 

Individual Awards

 

  pheart.gif (229 bytes) Purple Heart
purplemed.gif (10997 bytes) Eligibility Requirements:   Awarded to any person who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with an Armed Force of the United
States after 5 April 1917, has been killed or wounded.
In any action against an enemy of the United States.
* In any action with an opposing armed force of a foreign country in which the Armed Forces of the United States are or have been engaged.
* While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force, in which the United States is not a belligerent
party.
* As the result of an act of any such enemy or opposing armed force.
* As the result of an act of any hostile foreign force.
* As the indirect result of enemy action, as for example injuries resulting from paracuting from a plane brought down by enemy or hostile fire.
* As the result of maltreatment inflicted by his captors while a prisoner of war.
*  After 28 March 1973, as a result of international terrorist attack against the United States or a foreign nation friendly to the United States.
* After 28 March 1973, as a result of military operations while serving outside the territory of the United States as part of a peacekeeping force.
Definition:   A "wound" is defined as an injury to any part of the body from an outside force or agent, sustained while in action as described in the eligibility requirements.   A physical lesion is not required, provided the concussion or other form of injury received was a result of the action engaged in.    Except in the case of a prisoner of war, the wound must have required treatment by a medical officer.   Only one award is authorized for more than one wound or injury received at the same instant from the same missile, force, explosion, or agent.   Prisoners of war, if entitled, will be limited to a single Purple Heart covering the entire period of their captivity.

cact.gif (367 bytes)           Combat Action Ribbon

Awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard (when Coast Guard units operate under the control of the Navy) in the grade of Captain/Colonel and junior, who have actively participated in ground or surface combat.

Eligibility criterion is that the individual must have participated in a bona fide ground or surface combat firefight or action during which he/she was under enemy fire and his/her performance while under fire was satisfactory.

An individual, whose eligibility has been established in combat, in the following listed operations, is authorized the award of the Combat Action Ribbon. Only one award per operation is authorized. Subsequent awards will be indicated by the use of a Gold Star on the ribbon.

 natdef.gif (389 bytes) National Defense Service Medal
natdefmed.gif (11034 bytes) Awarded to all persons in the Naval service who served on active duty at any time between 1 January 1961 and 14 August 1974, eligibility coinciding with the Vietnam War, with duty being the criteria for the award, both dates are inclusive. The second eligibility period encompasses Southwest Asia service from 2 August 1990 through 30 November 1995. The most recent period of award covers post 9/11 service, with eligibility beginning 12 September 2001 through a yet to be determined end date. Sailors with duty in more than one of the periods wear a small bronze service star on the ribbon, for each of the additional eligibility periods.
 vser.gif (379 bytes) Vietnam Service Medal
vietservicemed.gif (9462 bytes) The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to all members of the armed forces, who had service in Vietnam and its contiguous waters and airspace,
between 15 March 1962 and 28 March 1973. In addition, personnel serving in Thailand, Laos or Cambodia, in direct support of operations in Vietnam,
during the same time period, also are eligible for the medal.
To qualify for award of the Vietnam Service Medal an individual must have met one of the following qualifications:
* Be attached to or regularly serve for 1 or more days with an organization participating in or directly supporting military operations.
* Be attached to or regularly serve for 1 or more days aboard a naval vessel directly supporting military operations.
* Actually participate as a crewmember in one or more aerial flights into airspace above Vietnam and contiguous waters directly supporting military operations.
* Serve on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days in Vietnam or contiguous areas, except that the time limit may be waived for personnel participating in actual combat operations.

         Vietnam Service Medal - Eligible Campaign periods

  vcm.gif (2568 bytes) Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device
vietcampaignmed.gif (11525 bytes) Awarded to recognize service performed in Vietnam during the period 1 March 1961 to 28 March 1973, inclusive.
Eligibility requirements:
* Wounded or injured in hostile action.
* Captured by the opposing forces during actions or in the line of duty, but later rescued or released.
* Killed in action or in the line of duty.
* Served six (6) months in South Vietnam or served six (6) months outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam, but contributed direct combat support
to the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces during such period. The six (6) months required need not be consecutive.
* Assigned in Vietnam on 28 January 1973, and either served a minimum of sixty (60) days in Vietnam as of that date, or completed a minimum of sixty (60)
days service in Vietnam during the period from 29 January 1973 to 28 March 1973, inclusive.

MILPERSMAN 1200-030

Small Craft Insignia                   smcrafto.gif (7610 bytes)                                                                                            smcrafte.gif (6465 bytes)

Responsible CNO (N869) Phone: DSN 664-7633
Office COM (703) 664-7633
FAX 664-6934
Qualifications as a The Chief of Naval Operations (N86) authorized the Small Craft Insignia for junior officers and senior petty officers who served
Result  of Service in the as officer in charge of Riverine or Coastal Craft, under combat conditions, in the Republic of Vietnam.
Republic of Vietnam Personnel who served for a minimum of 6 months as officer in charge, patrol officer (commissioned or enlisted), river section leaders,
Under Combat boat officers, or petty officers in charge of the following craft are eligible to wear the insignia:
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.
Eligible Units Those personnel who meet the criteria described above, and served with the following units, were established as being authorized the
Small Craft Insignia:
Eligibility Requirements Members who served in an Officer in Charge or Petty Officer in Charge billet for a minimum of 6 months, and have completed the
established after appropriate Personnel Qualification Standard (PQS) in one of the following platforms below are authorized by CNO to wear the
1 OCT 84 Small Craft Insignia:
Personnel who qualified prior to 1 July 1992 while assigned to Yard Patrol (YP) or Craft of Opportunity (COOP) Trainer craft are
authorized to continue to wear the insignia.
Note:   All "grandfather periods for previous qualification have expired."  No further "grandfather" qualification request will be
considered.
Wearing Small The Small Craft Insignia shall be worn as authorized in NAVPERS 15665I, Craft Insignia, U.S. Navy Uniform Regulations.
Craft Insignia

APR 99 CD

 

U.S. Navy Uniform Regulations - NAVPERS 15665I

Chapter Five

Identification Badges/Awards/Insignia

Section 2: Breast Insignia Article
1.   Command Insignia 5201.1
2.   Warfare and Other Qualification Insignia 5201.2
3.   Description of Breast Insignia 5201.3
4.    Nametags 5201.4

 

5201. Breast Insignia
1. Command Insignia
2. Warfare and Other Qualification Insignia
a. Authorized Insignia
(1)   Aviation Insignia
(2)   Explosive Ordnance Disposal Warfare Insignia
(3)   Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist Insignia
(4)   Special Operations Warfare Insignia
(5)   Special Warfare Insignia
(6)   Submarine Warfare Insignia
(7)   Surface Warfare Insignia
(8)   Aircrew Insignia
(9)   Integrated Undersea Surveillance System Insignia
(10)   Officer In Charge/Petty Officer in Charge
    * Small Craft
    * Craftmaster
(11)   Parachutists Insignia
(12)   Submarine Patrol Insignia
(13)   Underwater Insignia
(14)   U.S. Air Force Space Badge
b. Provisions for Wear
(1)   Wear metal pin-on breast insignia on the following uniforms. When two sizes of insignia exist, the miniature size insignia is normally worn
  on uniforms requiring miniature medals.
  Exception: Miniature Small Craft insignia is worn on all uniforms except full dress uniforms.
             Large Insignia/Miniature Insignia                                         Miniature Insignia
             Service Dress Blue Formal Dress                                               Formal Dress
             Full Dress Blue Dinner Dress Blue Jacket                                   Dinner Dress Blue Jacket
             Service Dress White Dinner Dress White Jacket                         Dinner Dress WhiteJacket
             Service Dress Blue (Yankee) Dinner Dress White                       Dinner Dress Blue
             Summer White Tropical Dinner Dress Blue                                 Dinner Dress White
             Winter Blue                                                                                Tropical Dinner Dress Blue
             Summer Khaki
             Winter Working Blue
             Working Khaki
             Aviation Working Khaki
             Indoor Duty White
(2)   One or two earned warfare devices or breast insignia may be worn on the following working uniforms in the same relative positions as
  described below. The background material for embroidered devices shall match the uniform on which it is worn.
            Working Khaki                                                                          Winter Working Blue
            Dungarees*                                                                                Aviation Working Green
            Indoor Duty White

            *Molded or stenciled on dungarees (optional)
(3)   One or two earned warfare devices or breast insignia embroidered on tape strips may be worn on the following working uniforms as
  described below and IAW article 5201.2c (1) (b). Tape strips fabric, color and length shall be IAW article 3101.5b.
            Navy Coveralls                                                                            Utilities
(4)   Pin-on devices shall not be worn on working uniforms when metal devices might present a FOD or safety hazard.
(5)   Pin-on breast insignia shall not be polished to the degree that the basic details of the standard insignia are defaced,
  removed, or altered in general appearance.
c. Manner of wearing Warfare and Other Qualification Insignia
(1)   Breast Insignia are worn on the left side of the uniform in a primary position,or a primary and secondary position.
(a)         Primary position with ribbons or medals. The Insignia is centered above ribbons or medals with the lower edge of the device ¼
        inch above the top row of ribbons or medals.
(b)         Primary position without ribbons or medals. The insignia is centered above the left pocket with the left lower edge of the device
        ¼  inch above the top of the pocket.
(c)         Secondary position with ribbons or medals. The insignia is centered below ribbons with the top of the device ¼ inch below the
        top of the pocket or pocket flap, or centered below medals with the top of the device ¼ inch below the lowest row of medals.
(d)         Secondary position without ribbons or medals. The insignia is centered ¼ inch below the top of the pocket or pocket flap. For
        Dinner Dress Jackets, center the insignia on the left lapel, ¼ inch below the primary insignia.
(2)   If wearing only one device, place it in the primary position.
(3)   Personnel with multiple qualifications, may wear two insignia, placing one in the primary position and the second in the secondary   
  position, within the following guidelines:
(a)         Only one insignia from any single category of insignia listed above (paragraph 5201.2.a) is authorized for wear at the same time.
(b)         Warfare qualification insignia take precedence over other qualification insignia and are placed in the primary position.
(c)         Two warfare insignia, each from separate warfare categories, are authorized following these rules:
1             The warfare insignia of the specialty in which currently serving will be worn in the primary position.
2            If not currently serving in a warfare specialty, or have not earned the warfare insignia of the specialty in which currently serving:
              officers will wear the insignia corresponding to their designator, otherwise the warfare insignia earned first in the primary
              position; all other personnel will wear the warfare insignia earned first in the primary position.
(4)   If no longer designated as a warfare specialist, continue wearing the earned warfare insignia, following the guidelines of this chapter,
  unless prohibited from doing so by administrative action.
(5)   When insignia has both gold and silver versions, enlisted personnel wear silver, officers wear gold, within the following rules:
(a)         Enlisted personnel who qualify for insignia, and are subsequently advanced to officer status continue wearing the enlisted insignia
        until qualified for a corresponding officer insignia; then replace the enlisted insignia with the officer insignia.
(b)         Enlisted personnel who have been awarded the Small Craft insignia and are subsequently advanced to officer status 
        wear the gold Small Craft insignia.
(c)         Enlisted personnel, who qualified in a warfare specialty as officers and were subsequently reverted to enlisted status, may continue
        to wear the officer insignia.
(6)   Enlisted personnel awarded the Craftmaster insignia and subsequently advanced to officer status may continue to wear the Craftmaster
  insignia.
3. Description of Breast Insignia
a. Astronaut Insignia
b. Naval Aviator Insignia
c. Naval Aviator Insignia
d. Naval Aviation Observer and Fight Meteorologist Insignia
e. Naval Aviation Supply Corps
f. Flight Surgeon Insignia
g. Flight Nurse Insignia
h. Naval Flight Officer Insignia (NFO)
i. Aviation Experimental Psychologist and Aviation Physiologist Insignia
j. Aircrew Insignia (AC)
k. Aviation Warfare Specialist Insignia (EAWS)
l. Submarine Insignia (SS)
m. Submarine Medical Insignia
n. Submarine Engineering Duty Insignia
o. Submarine Supply Corps
p. Submarine Combat Patrol Insignia
q. SSBN Deterrent Patrol Insignia
r. Surface Warfare Insignia (SWO)
s. Surface Warfare Dental Corps Insignia
t. Surface Warfare Medical Corps Insignia
u. Surface Warfare Medical Service Corps Insignia
v. Surface Warfare Nurse Corps Insignia
w. Surface Supply Corps Insignia
x. Enlisted Surface Warfare Insignia (ESWS)
y. Command-at-Sea Insignia
z. Command Ashore/Project Manager Insignia
aa. Small Craft Insignia
A gold or silver metal pin with a small craft circumscribed by an anchor, flukes on the sides and bottom and a three star
pennant on top.
bb. Craftmaster Insignia
cc. Special Operations Insignia
dd. Special Warfare Insignia (SEAL)
ee. Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist Insignia
ff. Basic Parachutist Insignia
gg. Naval Parachutist Insignia
hh. Diving Officer Insignia (DV)
ii. Diving (Medical) Insignia
jj. Master Diver Insignia (DVM)
kk. Diving Medical Technician Insignia (DV)
ll. First Class Diver Insignia (DV)
mm. Second Class Diver Insignia (DV)
nn. Scuba Diver Insignia
oo. Basic Explosive Ordnance Disposal Warfare Insignia (EOD)
pp. Senior Explosive Ordnance Disposal Warfare Insignia (EOD)
qq. Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal Warfare Insignia (EOD)
rr. Deep Submergence
ss. Integrated Undersea Surveillance System
tt. Naval Reserve Merchant Marine Insignia
4. Nametags

NOV 98 CD

Vietnam Combatant-Craft Crewman Insignia

 

newbadge.gif (18591 bytes)

 

VCCCletter3.jpg (95178 bytes)

 

Authorized to be worn only by U.S. Navy and
U.S. Coast Guard Task Force 115 Vietnam Veterans
who meet the following criteria:

1) Completed Patrol Craft Fast (PCF) Crew Training (exception granted to those PCF crewmen who accomplished hands on training in the Pacific as swift boats were being outfitted and made ready for their deployment to Vietnam).
2) Individuals attached to Task Force 115, Boat Squadron One / Coastal Squadron One, during the Vietnam War (30 July 1965 through 1 December 1970).
3)

Duty at one of the following:

For PCF Crewmen:
PCF Division 101 / Coastal Squadron 11 --- An Thoi (Phu Quoc, Sea Float, Nam Cam)
PCF Division 102 / Coastal Squadron 12 --- DaNang (DaNang, Chu Lai, Hue, Cua Viet)
PCF Division 103 / Coastal Squadron 13 --- Cat Lo (Cat Lo, Sea Float, Nam Cam)
PCF Division 104 / Coastal Squadron 14 --- Cam Ranh Bay
PCF Division 105 / Coastal Squadron 15 --- Qui Nhon
Coastal Squadron 16 --- Chu Lai

For Coast Guard Crewmen:
Coast Guard Squadron One / Coastal Division 11 --- An Thoi
Coast Guard Squadron One / Coastal Division 12 --- DaNang
Coast Guard Squadron One / Coastal Division 13 --- Cat Lo

For PACV Crewman:
PCF Division 107 / Coastal Division 17
4) Assigned to permanent duty station as a designated crewman aboard Swiftboats (PCFs), Coast Guard Cutters (WPBs) or PACVs.
5) Personnel attached to Inshore Undersea Warfare Group One, WestPac detachment
(15 November 1966 through 25 November 1970) as LCPL crewmen.
6) STABLEDOOR crewmen whose duty was Harbor Entrance Picket Boats on Boston Whaler's or Skimmer Craft.

The Vietnam Combatant-Crewman Insignia is only obtainable
from the the Swift Boat Sailor's Association,
after providing documentation meeting the above criteria.

Requests for Verification and Procurement of Awards from Retired and Former Personnel

Requests from retired and former Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard personnel shall be directed to:

National Records Center
Attn: Military Personnel Records - (Navy),  (Marine Corp) or (Coast Guard)
9700 Page Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100

Include the following prior service data in each request:

You can download a copy of the U.S. Government Standard Form 180 (SF180) to make a request for Verification or Procurement of Awards by going to the following website:

http://www.archives.gov/research_room/obtain_copies/standard_form_180.pdf

NOTE:   This two sided, legal sized paper (8 ½" x 14") form, is downloadable only in Adobe Acrobat format (pdf).
If do not have the current version of Adobe Acrobat Reader (9.0), you can get a totally FREE download by clicking on the logo below!

getacro.gif (1692 bytes)

This method for getting your past due Awards does work!   Read Joe Ponder's e-mail testimonial.

Give the new NDAWS (Navy Department Awards Web Service) site a try and see what your record shows about you, your ship, squadron or base.

This is a general public accessible site.

https://awards.navy.mil

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This page was last updated on:   May 09, 2009 at 11:34