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Who received the Vietnam Medal?

This medal was given to members of the Australian and New Zealand military who served in South Vietnam. To earn it, they had to be in the war zone between May 29, 1964, and January 27, 1973, for a specific length of time. Thousands of regular troops and national servicemen received this honor for their duty. It recognizes their service during one of the longest conflicts in Australian history.

When was it established?

Queen Elizabeth II officially created this medal in 1968. She did this after the leaders of Australia and New Zealand asked for a special way to honor their fighting forces. Before this, soldiers were given generic British medals that did not show their specific mission. This new award gave soldiers a way to show exactly where they had served during the Cold War.

What does the ribbon look like?

The ribbon is very bright and has special colors for the medal. It has yellow and red stripes which match the flag of South Vietnam. The blue stripes represent the three branches of the military, which are the Navy, the Army, and the Air Force. These colors help people identify the medal as a symbol of service in that specific war.

Did civilian nurses or performers earn it?

Yes, some civilians could earn this medal if they were officially approved to work in the war zone. This group included nurses, doctors, and even entertainers who traveled to support the troops. They had to work in the area for a set amount of time to qualify for the award. Their hard work and support were very important to the soldiers during the conflict.

What image is on the front of the medal?

The front of the medal shows a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. She was the official leader of Australia when the medal was created in 1968. This portrait reminds everyone that the medal is an official award from the country. It shows that the person earned the thanks of their nation for their service in the war.

Who received the Vietnam Medal?

This medal was given to members of the Australian and New Zealand military who served in South Vietnam. To earn it, they had to be in the war zone between May 29, 1964, and January 27, 1973, for a specific length of time. Thousands of regular troops and national servicemen received this honor for their duty. It recognizes their service during one of the longest conflicts in Australian history.

When was it established?

Queen Elizabeth II officially created this medal in 1968. She did this after the leaders of Australia and New Zealand asked for a special way to honor their fighting forces. Before this, soldiers were given generic British medals that did not show their specific mission. This new award gave soldiers a way to show exactly where they had served during the Cold War.

What does the ribbon look like?

The ribbon is very bright and has special colors for the medal. It has yellow and red stripes which match the flag of South Vietnam. The blue stripes represent the three branches of the military, which are the Navy, the Army, and the Air Force. These colors help people identify the medal as a symbol of service in that specific war.

Did civilian nurses or performers earn it?

Yes, some civilians could earn this medal if they were officially approved to work in the war zone. This group included nurses, doctors, and even entertainers who traveled to support the troops. They had to work in the area for a set amount of time to qualify for the award. Their hard work and support were very important to the soldiers during the conflict.

What image is on the front of the medal?

The front of the medal shows a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. She was the official leader of Australia when the medal was created in 1968. This portrait reminds everyone that the medal is an official award from the country. It shows that the person earned the thanks of their nation for their service in the war.

Home Library AustraliaVietnam Medal

Campaign medal

Vietnam Medal

A campaign medal given to Australian troops who served in the Vietnam War.

Australia Established 1968 All servicesPrecedence: Worn after the General Service Medal 1962

Medals & Awards

Awarded For

Awarded for service in South Vietnam between 29 May 1964 and 27 January 1973 for required periods of duty.

Eligibility

Members of the Australian Defence Force and accredited civilian relief personnel who served in Vietnam.

Branch

All services

Precedence

Worn after the General Service Medal 1962

Vietnam Medal, Campaign medal, Australia medal

History

The Vietnam Medal was established in 1968 by Queen Elizabeth II on the advice of Australian and New Zealand prime ministers. It was created as a shared campaign award specifically for Australian and New Zealand forces in the Vietnam conflict.

Before this award, service members deployed to early Asian conflicts received generic British general service medals. This medal gave distinct national recognition to those deployed directly into the war zone.

Thousands of Australian regular troops and national servicemen received the medal for their duty. Today, it remains an iconic symbol of Australian service in Southeast Asia during the Cold War era.

Frequently Asked Questions

Used In

Vietnam War

Veterans Who Received This Award

Vietnam

Vietnam Medal Australian Service Medal 1939-1945

Peter Badcoe

Who Was Peter Badcoe?

A decorated Australian officer who died heroically in the Vietnam War.

Australia23 February 1967

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Sources

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