Criteria The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, kill... The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may die of wounds received in armed combat or as a result of an act of international terrorism. MoreHide
Criteria The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal decoration awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (when operating under the control of the Navy) in the grade of captain (or colonel in th... The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal decoration awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (when operating under the control of the Navy) in the grade of captain (or colonel in the Marine Corps) and below who have actively participated in ground or surface combat. MoreHide
Criteria The Presidential Unit Citation may be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or aft... The Presidential Unit Citation may be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or after December 7, 1941. MoreHide
Criteria The Navy Unit Commendation may be awarded by the Secretary of the Navy to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that distinguishes itself by outstanding heroism in action against an enemy (but not suff... The Navy Unit Commendation may be awarded by the Secretary of the Navy to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that distinguishes itself by outstanding heroism in action against an enemy (but not sufficiently to justify the award of the Presidential Unit Citation). It may also be awarded to a unit that distinguishes itself by extremely meritorious service not involving combat (but in support of military operations), which renders that unit outstanding when compared to other units performing similar service. MoreHide
Description THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20350
The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION to
COMBINED ACTION F... THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20350
The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION to
COMBINED ACTION FORCE, III MARINE AMPHIBIOUS FORCE
for services as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For exceptionally meritorious service during operations against hostile forces in the Republic of Vietnam from 1 August 1965 to 31 December 1967 and from 1 January 1969 to 1 April 1971. During these periods, Combined Action Program Units consisting of U. S. Marines and Vietnamese Popular Forces carried out combat operations resulting in the inflection of numerous casualties upon the enemy. In addition, hundreds of enemy soldiers were taken as prisoners of war. Displaying imagination, initiative, courage, and resourcefulness, the Combined Action Units participated in a multitude of tasks which strengthened the local governments of more than 830 hamlets and promoted the well-being of the villagers. Dynamic civic activities included the construction of schools, dispensaries, and reservoirs; the establishment of farms and marketplaces; the training of Vietnamese Popular Forces; the treatment of the sick and afflicted; and the institution of sanitation programs and training in first aid. Despite numerous hardships, the officers and men of the Combined Action Force compiled an extremely commendable record of valor and dedication, irrefutably proving their combat effectiveness against both guerrilla and conventional enemy forces, and contributing greatly toward enhancing the safety and welfare of large numbers of civilians residing in the Republic of Vietnam.
Criteria The Meritorious Unit Commendation may be awarded by the Secretary of the Navy to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that distinguishes itself under combat or noncombat conditions by either valorous ... The Meritorious Unit Commendation may be awarded by the Secretary of the Navy to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that distinguishes itself under combat or noncombat conditions by either valorous or meritorious achievement which renders that unit outstanding compared to other units performing similar service, but not sufficient to justify the award of the Navy Unit Commendation. MoreHide
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
The unit citation of the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal was awarded certain units by the Vietnamese government for meritorious service during the period 1 March 1961 to 28 March 1974.
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
Description Mar 1 – May 29; 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines and 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines and ARVN 51st Regiment clear and search operation in the Happy ValleyMar 1 – May 29; 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines and 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines and ARVN 51st Regiment clear and search operation in the Happy Valley, Quảng Nam Province.
It's objecive was to clear out NVA units from their base camps and infiltration routes in the hills and valleys of Quang Nam Province, southwest of Da Nang, particularly Happy Valley and Charlie Ridge. In the course of the operation, the Marines encountered and cleared the base camps of the 31st and 141st NVA regiments.
Though these NVA units largely avoided major confrontation with the Marines and ARVN during the operation, the Marinea inflicted 589 casualties on them. Forty-four Marines were killed during the operation and 439 suffered injuries requiring medical evacuation. 456 non-combat injuries were also reported.... More
Criteria Qualification for this ribbon signifies acquisition of specific professional skills, knowledge and military experience above those normally required of Navy personnel serving with the Fleet Marine For... Qualification for this ribbon signifies acquisition of specific professional skills, knowledge and military experience above those normally required of Navy personnel serving with the Fleet Marine Force (FMF). This qualification must be obtained through a formal program and the successful completion of written tests. For a full listing of the requirements for this ribbon, see paragraph 5 of SECNAVINST 1650.1G (pages 4-15 through 4-17). Active duty Navy officers must serve a minimum of 12 months with the Fleet Marine Force and Navy Reserve Officers must serve a minimum of 24 months in a Naval Reserve Fleet Marine Force unit with satisfactory drill attendance. 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