Jimmie H. Butler
Information on Writing and the War in Southeast Asia

The Vietnam Service Medal

and Comparable Service/Campaign Medals**

Euro-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal

This medal is awarded for service in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater between 7 Dec 41 and 8 Nov 45 , under the same conditions described under those for the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal.

Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal

This medal is awarded for service in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater between 7 Dec 41 and 2 Mar 46 , under any of the following conditions:

1. Permanent assignment
2. Passenger status or on TDY for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days
3. In active combat against the enemy, if personnel were awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the unit's commander stating that they participated in combat. Personnel who were assigned or attached members of units during the period for which campaign participation credit or assault landing credit was accorded to the unit are awarded the bronze service star and arrowhead, respectively, to denote their participation in the action.

World War II Victory Medal

This medal is awarded for any service period between 7 Dec 41 and 31 Dec 46 .

Korean Service Medal

This medal (pictured below) was authorized on Nov. 8, 1950 , for members of the United States Armed Forces for service in Korea , 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days between June 27, 1950 , and July 27, 1954 .

United Nations Service Medal

This medal (pictured below) was authorized by the United Nations General Assembly on Dec. 12, 1950 . The Department of Defense authorized it for the United States Armed Forces on Nov. 27, 1951 . It is awarded to officers and enlisted men of the armed forces of the United States who participated in the action in Korea between June 27, 1950 , and July 27, 1954 . This medal is awarded for any period of time spent in combat.

Southwest Asia Service Medal

This award, authorized by Executive Order 12754, 12 March 1991, is awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who served in support of Operation DESERT SHIELD or DESERT STORM between 2 August 1990 and 30 November 1995 in one or more of the following areas: Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, that portion of the Arabian Sea that lies north of 10 degrees N latitude and west of 68 degrees E longitude, and the land areas of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates; or individuals serving in Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Syria, and Jordan (including territorial airspace and waters) directly supporting combat operations between 17 January 1991 and 30 November 1995. Refer to DoD 1348.33-M for specific individual eligibility requirements.

This award came with three distinct campaign periods: Defense of Saudi Arabia, 2 August 1990 - 16 January 1991 ; Liberation and Defense of Kuwait, 17 January 1991 - 11 April 1991 ; Southwest Asia Cease Fire Campaign, 12 April 1991 to 30 November 1995 . A bronze service star is worn for participation in each respective campaign period.

Vietnam Service Medal

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 information on the medals and the dates of eligibility are taken from the website of the USAF Personnel Center at Randolph AFB, Texas .  Information on the Vietnam Service Medal appears at:

http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/awardsAsp/Medal.asp?abbr=VSM

The remaining medals may be accessed through the pull-down menu at the bottom of the VSM page.