Created by Executive Order 11213, July 8, 1965. It is awarded to all service members of the Armed Forces who between July 4, 1965 and March 28, 1973, served in the following areas of Southeast Asia: In Vietnam and the contiguous waters and airspace; in Thailand, Laos or Cambodia or the airspace thereover or in the direct support of military operations in Vietnam


The armed forces' Vietnam Service Medal was established by Executive Order 11231 from President Johnson's desk on 8 July 1965.

The distinctive design was the creation of sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones, a former employee of the Army's Institute of Heraldry.

The service medal was awarded to all members of the armed forces who service in Vietnam and contiguous waters and airspace between 3 July 1965 and 28 March 1973.

In addition, personnel serving in Thailand, Laos or Cambodia in direct support of operations in Vietnam during the same time period also were eligible for the medal.

Authorization. E.O. 11231, 8 July 1965 
Eligibility Requirements 
General 
Awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States serving at anytime between 4 July 1965 and 28 March 1973 in the area defined under the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Vietnam. 
Awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States in Thailand, Laos or Cambodia or the air space thereover, between 4 July 1965 and 28 March 1973 and serving in direct support of operations in Vietnam. 
Members qualified for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal by reason of service between I July 1958 and 3 July 1965 (inclusive) in an area for which the Vietnam Service Medal was subsequently authorized shall remain qualified for that medal. Upon application, any such member may be awarded the Vietnam Service Medal in lieu of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for such service. However, no person shall be entitled to both awards for service in an area for which the Vietnam Service Medal has been authorized.
Specific 
Personnel Eligible 
Shore Duty. Attached to or regularly serving for one (1) or more days with an organization participating in or directly supporting military operations. 
Sea Duty. Attached to or regularly serving for one (1) or more days aboard a naval vessel directly supporting military operations. 
Air Duty. Actual participation as a crew member in one (1) or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations. 
Temporary Duty. Service for thirty consecutive or sixty non-consecutive days, except that the time limit may be waived for personnel participating in actual combat operations.
NOTE. Only personnel who were attached to ships/units and who actually participated in the given operation, are eligible for the Vietnam Service Medal o This includes personnel attached to a squadron or unit embarked in a ship during the period for which that ship is listed as eligible. Members of rear echelons, transients, observers, and personnel assigned for short periods or TAD and training duty are normally not eligible for the award. However, consideration will be given in those instances where the local commander certifies a particular and significant contribution by an individual. Such certification should be submitted to CNO/CMC via the fleet commander who exercised operational control in the area involved. 
Eligible Ships and Units. Ships and units present in the area merely for training purposes are not eligible for the award. Squadrons or units embarked in a ship during the period for which that ship is listed as eligible are automatically eligible for the medal. 
Limitation of Medals. The medal shall be awarded only for operations for which no other U.S. campaign medal is approved. No person may be issued both the Vietnam Service Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for service in Vietnam (see Art. 431.16b(8) concerning election), and no person shall be entitled to more than one award of the Vietnam Service Medal. 
Stars. A bronze star 3/16-inch in diameter is authorized to be worn on the suspension ribbon and ribbon bar of the Vietnam Service Medal for each of the following campaigns: I. Vietnam Advisory Campaign 15 March 1962 to 7 March 1965 
II. Vietnam Defense Campaign 8 March 1965 to 24 December 1965. 
III. Vietnam Counteroffensive Campaign 25 December 1965 to 30 June 1966 
IV. Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase II I July 1966 to 31 May 1967 
V. Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase III 1 June 1967 to 29 January 1968 
VI. Tet Counteroffensive 30 January 1968 to 1 April 1968 
VII Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase IV 2 April 1968 to 30 June 1968 
VIII. Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase V I July 1968 to I November 1968 
IX. Vietnam Counteroffensive Operation Phase VI 2 November 1968 to 22 February 1969 
X. Tet 69 Counteroffensive 23 February 1969 to 8 June 1969 
XI. Vietnam, Summer-Fall 1969 9 June 1969 to 31 October 1969 
XII. Vietnam Winter Spring 1970 I November 1969 to 30 April 1970 
XIII. Sanctuary Counter offensive I May 1970 to 30 June 1970 
XIV. Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase VII I July 1970 to 30 June 1971. 
XV. Consolidation I I July 1971 to 30 November 1971. 
XVI. Consolidation II I December 1971 to 29 March 1972. 
XVII. Vietnam Ceasefire Campaign 30 March 1972 to 28 January 1973