Vietnam Medal

The Vietnam Medal is a military service medal established by the Australian and New Zealand governments in 1968 to recognize the service of their military personnel who participated in the Vietnam War. The war was fought between the communist government of North Vietnam, supported by its allies, and the government of South Vietnam, supported by the United States and other anti-communist countries, including Australia and New Zealand. The Vietnam Medal honors the service and sacrifice of those who served in the conflict and acknowledges their dedication and commitment.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Vietnam Medal, a person must have been serving in the Australian Defence Force, the New Zealand Defence Force, or as a civilian employed by the Australian or New Zealand governments during the Vietnam War. The individual must have completed 28 days of service, either continuous or aggregated, in Vietnam or its adjacent waters between 29 May 1964 and 27 January 1973. The medal can also be awarded to those who completed one day of service if they were killed, wounded, or captured during the conflict.

Design

The Vietnam Medal is designed as a circular, silver-nickel medallion featuring the crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse, with the inscription "ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F.D." surrounding the effigy. The reverse of the medal displays a symbolic representation of the mythological Greek figure Hermes, the messenger of the gods, with a background of flames, symbolizing the harsh conditions faced by those who served in Vietnam.

Ribbon

The ribbon of the Vietnam Medal features three central red stripes over a base of yellow, which in turn is bordered by thicker red stripes, and bordered with dark blue on the left, and light blue on the right. The red stripes represent the blood shed by those who fought for the freedom of South Vietnam, the yellow stripes represent the Vietnamese national colors, and the blue stripes represent the naval and air forces of Australia and New Zealand.

The Vietnam Medal is a symbol of the service and sacrifice of Australian and New Zealand military personnel who served during the Vietnam War. It is a testament to their dedication and commitment in the pursuit of peace and freedom, and a reminder of the challenges they faced in a difficult and controversial conflict.