Creation of the Vietnam Service Medal

July 8, 1965

Overview

The Vietnam Service Medal is created by Executive Order 11231. It is awarded to members of the U.S. armed forces who serve in combat operations, or for specified periods of time, in specific areas of Southeast Asia between July 4, 1965 and March 28, 1973. Those who received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for service in Vietnam between July 1, 1958 and July 3, 1965 are also eligible for the Vietnam Service Medal.1

¹USAF Fact Sheet, “Vietnam Service Medal,” Background and Criteria, http://www.afpc.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet_print.asp?fsID=7807&page=1 (link is external) (accessed 3/10/14). “Service Medals and Campaign Credits of the United States Navy: Vietnam Service Medal” http://www.history.navy.mil/medals/vsn.htm (link is external) (accessed 7/15/14). “Executive Order 11231 – Establishing the Vietnam Service Medal,” http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/11231.html (link is external) (accessed 7/15/14).