Criteria The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspa... The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspace; or, for any period of service during the same time period in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the air spaces thereover and in direct support of operations in Vietnam. MoreHide
Criteria The Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Colors) was authorized to be worn by units individually cited for service in military operations in support of the government of Sout... The Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Colors) was authorized to be worn by units individually cited for service in military operations in support of the government of South Vietnam. The actions cited are for the same services that would have resulted in the award of a Valorous Unit Citation by the Army or a Navy Unit Citation MoreHide
Criteria This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical l... This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces for an aggregate of six months. Only members of the Armed Forces of the United States who meet the criteria established for the AFEM (Vietnam) or Vietnam Service Medal during the period of service required are considered to have contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces; or 3. Did not complete the length of service required in item (1) or (2) above, but who, during wartime, were: a. Wounded by the enemy (in a military action); b. Captured by the enemy during action or in the line of duty, but later rescued or released; or c. Killed in action or in the line of duty; or 4. Were assigned in Vietnam on 28 Jan 73, and who served a minimum of 60 calendar days in Vietnam during the period 29 Jan 73 to 28 Mar 73. MoreHide
Best Friends
JERRY RICKETTS RM3, JOE RM2, ANDY QM2 AND ALL OPS DIV,SMALL SHIP BUT REAL FAST 11 KNOTS ON A GOOD DAY
Best Moment
BEING ON THE SIGNAL BRIDGE ALL THE TIME AND PULLING QM WATCHES ALSO, VC GUN BOAT CAME TO GET US ONE NIGHT ,BUT A LSMR BLEW THEM OUT OF THE WATER BEFORE THEY GOT TO US. THEN A SWIFT BOAT CAME OUT TO CHECK ON US AND THE CO TOLD ME TO TAKE THE RED FILTER OFF THE SIGNAL LIGHT AND SHINE IT ON THE BOAT , THE SWIFT TOLD ME TO TURN IT OFF BEFORE THEY SHOOT IT OUT !!
Worst Moment
LEAVING MY FRIENDS.OF COURSE THEY OFFERED ME SM2 AND A PBR, A FEW MONTHS EARLIER I WOULD HAVE TAKEN IT, TO LATE WANTED TO GO HOME AND SURF WHILE I WAS STILL IN ONE PIECE. AOGS ARE A SCARY RIDE AND SOME OF THE OTHER ONES GOT HIT BY VC FIRE OR MINES IN THE RIVER OR RIVER MOUTH.
Chain of Command
CAPTAIN, OPS OFFICER , CHIEF QM ANDY QM2 AND SM3 THAT WOULD BE ME
Other Memories
FINDING THE WHITE ELEPHANT IN DA NANG BY MYSELF AND SOME HOW MAKING IT TO AIR FIELD I HAD TO LEAVE FROM
Best Friends
BLACKIE SM1, SMITH SM3 ,HURLEY SM3 ROHOR BM3 AND OCONNOR BM3
Best Moment
WHEN WHOLE CARRIER GROUP WAS CALLING BY SIGNAL LIGHT.
Worst Moment
FRIST TRIP AWAY FROM HOME ALL 11MOS+ CAME HOME AND LEFT FOR NEW COMMAND,BACK TO VIETNAM NEXT TIME HOME WHEN I GOT OUT.HIT BY A DD IN DA NANG HARBOUR
Chain of Command
THE CAPTAIN, THE OFFICER OF THE DECK, ENS.RUPPCOMM OFFICER ,BLACKIE SM1.
Other Memories
FRIST TIME I SAW A RUSSIAN DD FOLLOWED US FOR A WEEK
Criteria The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspa... The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspace; or, for any period of service during the same time period in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the air spaces thereover and in direct support of operations in Vietnam. MoreHide
Criteria This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical l... This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces for an aggregate of six months. Only members of the Armed Forces of the United States who meet the criteria established for the AFEM (Vietnam) or Vietnam Service Medal during the period of service required are considered to have contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces; or 3. Did not complete the length of service required in item (1) or (2) above, but who, during wartime, were: a. Wounded by the enemy (in a military action); b. Captured by the enemy during action or in the line of duty, but later rescued or released; or c. Killed in action or in the line of duty; or 4. Were assigned in Vietnam on 28 Jan 73, and who served a minimum of 60 calendar days in Vietnam during the period 29 Jan 73 to 28 Mar 73. MoreHide
Criteria The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service... The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service during the current War on Terrorism. In addition, all members of the National Guard and Reserve who were part of the Selected Reserve in good standing between August 2, 1990, to November 30, 1995, are eligible for the National Defense Service Medal. In the case of Navy personnel, Midshipment attending the Naval Academy during the qualifying periods are eligible for this award, and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Midshipmen ae only eligible if they participated in a summer cruise that was in an area which qualified for a campaign medal. MoreHide
Criteria This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical l... This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces for an aggregate of six months. Only members of the Armed Forces of the United States who meet the criteria established for the AFEM (Vietnam) or Vietnam Service Medal during the period of service required are considered to have contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces; or 3. Did not complete the length of service required in item (1) or (2) above, but who, during wartime, were: a. Wounded by the enemy (in a military action); b. Captured by the enemy during action or in the line of duty, but later rescued or released; or c. Killed in action or in the line of duty; or 4. Were assigned in Vietnam on 28 Jan 73, and who served a minimum of 60 calendar days in Vietnam during the period 29 Jan 73 to 28 Mar 73. MoreHide
JERRY RICKETTS RM3, JOE RM2, ANDY QM2 AND ALL OPS DIV,SMALL SHIP BUT REAL FAST 11 KNOTS ON A GOOD DAY
BEING ON THE SIGNAL BRIDGE ALL THE TIME AND PULLING QM WATCHES ALSO, VC GUN BOAT CAME TO GET US ONE NIGHT ,BUT A LSMR BLEW THEM OUT OF THE WATER BEFORE THEY GOT TO US. THEN A SWIFT BOAT CAME OUT TO CHECK ON US AND THE CO TOLD ME TO TAKE THE RED FILTER OFF THE SIGNAL LIGHT AND SHINE IT ON THE BOAT , THE SWIFT TOLD ME TO TURN IT OFF BEFORE THEY SHOOT IT OUT !!
LEAVING MY FRIENDS.OF COURSE THEY OFFERED ME SM2 AND A PBR, A FEW MONTHS EARLIER I WOULD HAVE TAKEN IT, TO LATE WANTED TO GO HOME AND SURF WHILE I WAS STILL IN ONE PIECE. AOGS ARE A SCARY RIDE AND SOME OF THE OTHER ONES GOT HIT BY VC FIRE OR MINES IN THE RIVER OR RIVER MOUTH.
CAPTAIN, OPS OFFICER , CHIEF QM ANDY QM2 AND SM3 THAT WOULD BE ME
FINDING THE WHITE ELEPHANT IN DA NANG BY MYSELF AND SOME HOW MAKING IT TO AIR FIELD I HAD TO LEAVE FROM