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 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.
Description This Campaign period was from 23 February to 8 June 1969. The overall composition of the SEALORDS task force in South Vietnam reflected the growing role of the Vietnamese Navy in the war. The newly elThis Campaign period was from 23 February to 8 June 1969. The overall composition of the SEALORDS task force in South Vietnam reflected the growing role of the Vietnamese Navy in the war. The newly elected administration of President Richard M. Nixon formally adopted as U.S. policy the Vietnamization program early in 1969.
The naval part of that process, termed ACTOV (Accelerated Turnover to the Vietnamese), embodied the incremental transfer to Vietnam of NAVFORV's river and coastal combatant fleet and the logistic support establishment. ACTOV was more than the provision of material, however, for the Vietnamese Navy needed training in the operation, maintenance, and repair of the U.S. equipment and in the efficient functioning of the supply system. Leadership skills at all command levels required improvement as did the general morale of naval personnel before the Vietnamese Navy would be able to fight on alone.
Spearheaded by the 564 officers and men of the Naval Advisory Group early in 1969, the U.S. Navy integrated Vietnamese sailors into the crews of American ships and craft. When sufficiently trained, the Vietnamese bluejackets and officers relieved their American counterparts, who then rotated back to the United States. As entire units came under Vietnamese Navy command, control of the various SEALORDS operations passed to that naval service as well.... More
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
The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in commending
UNITED STATES NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY, DANANG
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For exceptionall... THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY WASHINGTON
The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in commending
UNITED STATES NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY, DANANG
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For exceptionally meritorious service from 16 August 1966 to 15 May 1969 in providing logistic support to United States and other Free World Military Assistance Forces engaged in combat in the critical l Corps Tactical Zone (ICTZ) of the Republic of Vietnam. During this period, major expansions and additions to the responsibilities of United States Naval Support Activity, Danang were accompanied by a large buildup of
forces and the extension o support operations to new areas. Through careful planning, Ingenuity, and long hours of arduous work. and notwithstanding the effects of the 1968 Tet Offensive. continued enemy activity against forward resupply lines and adverse weather conditions. the Activity succeeded in delivering, efficiently and with minimum delay, vast quantities of vital war materials. resulting in a high degree of supply effectiveness and security to the ports and base installations against many guerrilla type actions. During this period, public works'accelerated the expansion of its output to match the increased rate of growth in lCTZ requirements. Particularly noteworthy was the Activity's response to medical logistics problems within the entire I Corps area. The base hospital at Danang saved many lives and returned large numbers of casualties to duty while responding magnificently to the increased number of admissions, as well as to the growing complexity of type and extent of injuries due to the intensification of the conflict in that area. With the assignment of a construction battalion unit to the operational control of Commander Naval Support Activity, Danang, in May 1967, construction and maintenance support was accomplished in a manner well-beyond the planned capabilities of the unit. By their superb performance throughout all the many diverse operations of the Activity, the officers and men of United States Naval Support Activity, Danang, and subordinate units, upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
All personnel attached to and serving with the United States Naval Support Activity Danang, during the period designated above, or any part thereof, are hereby authorized to wear the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon. 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 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 At 0300 23 August the Marine security outposts at the Cam Le Bridge just south of Danang came under heavy attack by what appeared to be most of a North Vietnamese battalion. Although the outpost on thAt 0300 23 August the Marine security outposts at the Cam Le Bridge just south of Danang came under heavy attack by what appeared to be most of a North Vietnamese battalion. Although the outpost on the north bank of the river held out, the outpost on the south side was overrun after a four hour fight. A reaction force from the 1st MP Bn (which had elements of the 3rd MP Bn attached) moved to reinforce the north bank outpost, while elements of the 1/27 and 2/27 Marines, supported by tanks from the 1st Tank Bn moved to recapture the southern end of the bridge. The fighting lasted well into the 23rd and resulted in a number of US killed and wounded - but the actions north and south of the river and follow-up sweeps by the Marines and the 52nd ARVN Infantry on 24-26 August resulted in several hundred NVA dead left on the field. The number of casualties at the Cam Le Bridge is difficult to determine with exactitude because a number of different units were involved. Close reading of the Command Chronologies shows that not fewer than 15 Marines and sailors died in the fight for the Cam Le Bridge:
D Co, 1st MP Bn: LCpl Hylan L. Crowder, Winona, MS LCpl John A. Eller, Norfolk, VA (Silver Star) LCpl Albert Mc Bride, New York, NY Pfc Walter M. Henry, Seattle, WA (Silver Star)
H&S Co, 3rd MP Bn: Cpl Robert D. Purdie, Sherman Oaks, CA HN Alan R. Gerrish, Woburn, MA (Navy Cross) LCpl Harold J. Klusendorf, Troy, MI LCpl Jerry A. Weimer, Fort Morgan, CO Pfc Christopher L. Chambers, Molalla, OR
A Co, 1st Bn, 27th Marines: LCpl Henry H. Ballew, South Roxana, IL LCpl Leo M. Jennette, Buxton, NC
H&S Co, 1st Bn, 27th Marines: HM3 Charles R. Golling, Nevada, OH HM2 Danny L. Grimshaw, Seattle, WA
E Co, 2nd Bn, 27th Marines: LCpl Michael L. Cooper, Chesapeake, WV
F Co, 2nd Bn, 27th Marines: LCpl George A. Kyricos, Tewksbury, MA... More
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
Start Tour: 05/03/1968
Incident Date: 02/27/1969
Casualty Date: 02/27/1969