Phone: 202-366-3198 (3) While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. Australia awarded four Victoria Crosses during the Vietnam War, two posthumously. C7.5.1.6.2. The medal reflects Despite his wounds, he returned to his position, assisted his men, and refused medical attention until all of his wounded comrades had been treated and evacuated. After DNA testing confirmed his identity, the remains were removed from the tomb and returned to Blassie's family, but the Medal of Honor did not transfer with him. Merchant Marine Academy National Register Nominations, The Department of Defense also offers several award options, Instructions on applyingfor this medal can be found here, Department of Defense and Foreign Government Recognition, In 1992, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced several. An official website of the United States government Here's how you know. established by the Vietnam Government by Decree No. Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort -- Sgt. is defined as services being supplied to the combat forces in the There are two medals that are commonly awarded for service in the Vietnam War: the Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign medal. Repeatedly attacked the enemy and although severely wounded risked his life to rescue several wounded soldiers, For using his body to shield a fellow Marine from a grenade blast, Repeatedly attacked and defended his unit from enemy fire and assisted 8 wounded men who were trapped behind enemy lines, Killed while attacking a group of enemy soldiers, Provided medical treatment to fellow soldiers while under heavy fire, despite being wounded twice, during, Repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to man several different machine-guns until the enemy had been fought back, For smothering explosive blasts with his body to protect those around him, Risked his life to fly his heavily damaged plane back to base to relay the location of a downed pilot. Several decorations (Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Commendation Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal) may be awarded for valor, or for merit. Continued to lead his squad, fight the enemy, and help the wounded despite being wounded himself four separate times. The only Canadian recipient since World War II, and one of only four since 1900. To justify this decoration, accomplishment or performance of duty above that normally expected, and sufficient to distinguish the individual among those performing comparable duties is required, although less than the requirements for the Silver Star or Legion of Merit. Served outside . Or have served less than six months but was wounded, captured, and escaped enemy forces, or was killed in action. Although already wounded, he sacrificed his life to save other soldiers who were pinned down by silencing two enemy gun emplacements and diving into a third with a grenade. (c) Reflect most creditably on the efforts of the individual toward the accomplishment of the unit mission. He later renounced his medal of honor. For diving on top of a flare to eject it from an aircraft, saving the aircraft and the entire crew on board. During a firefight he single-handedly destroyed a series of enemy bunkers. The Blassie family requested that the Medal of Honor be granted to him but the request was denied by the Department of Defense. The green represents the Vietnamese jungles. Eligibility for the Combat Distinguishing Device shall be based solely on acts or services by individuals who are exposed to personal hazard due to direct hostile actions, and not upon the geographical area in which the acts or services are performed. [according to whom?] Placed himself between an enemy grenade and his shipmates, absorbing most of the blast fragments with his own body in order to protect his shipmates from injury and death. The Vietnam war is more than a conflict, like any war, it tore families apart, took fathers away from their wives and children, and many still suffer invisible wounds and health issues. Exposed himself to enemy fire in order to place his three surviving wounded comrades in rescue slings, permitting them to be airlifted to safety. Sacrificed his life to shield another soldier from a rocket blast, absorbing the full blast with his body. [6] Thomas Bennett and Joseph LaPointe were conscientious objectors who received the medal for their actions as a medic;[7] three chaplains received the medal, including Vincent R. Capodanno, who served with the Marine Corps and was known as the "Grunt Padre".[8]. The medal was intended to recognise the Australian servicemen and civilians who provided support for Australian troops. Although wounded, he directed fire on the enemy and led his platoon to drive the enemy back. Despite his painful wounds, he refused medical aid and persevered in the forefront of the attack on the enemy redoubt. If an award recipient no longer possesses an original award, companies or individuals have available for purchase South Vietnam's military insignia and awards. The medals design is an important part of telling the story of the Vietnam War: This medal is different because it comes with a default device: the 1960- bar attachment. Zabitosky directed the defense until rescue helicopters arrived, and when the helicopter that was to extract him from the battlefield crashed, he ignored his own injuries to save the downed craft's pilot. C6.5.1.4. placed, or have been placed, in such position that, in the opinion States Naval Service. members of the Armed Forces of the United States serving at any time They represent hard work, commitment, tough decisions, bravery, and fearlessness. (2) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or Not more than one medal shall be issued to any one seaman. For providing covering fire at the cost of his own life during a withdrawal, For extraordinary heroism while serving as the commanding officer of the 2d Battalion, For providing critical aid to wounded comrades under heavy fire, For actions in Ia Drang, in which he led a successful one man assault on an enemy hill, Sacrificed his life to move a wounded comrade to safety. In the event any such seaman dies from the wounds or injuries before the award can be given, the medal may be presented to the person named in the War Risk Policy as his or her beneficiary. (1) Professional achievement which merits the award must: Sacrificed himself to save others by smothering an enemy grenade with his body, For refusing evacuation while tending wounded and defending the unit's position. keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United He was solely responsible for killing 15 enemy soldiers while saving the lives of at least nine members of his own unit. Cambodia, or the airspaces, thereover, and in direct support of He killed three and wounded several others. Vietnam) in May, 1974 to all foreign military personnel and units (10) After 28 March 1973, as a result of military operations while serving outside the territory of the United States as part of a peacekeeping force. [1], The Vietnam War, (also known as the Second Indochina War, Vietnam Conflict, and in Vietnam as the American War), took place from 1955 to 1975. 23 May 1972 to 31 December 1972 in support of U.S. military operations in Examples can be contributed using this form. (3) For Meritorious Service. equaling those expected of an air group operating from a sophisticated, Delta, a Regimental Formationwas subordinate We were still cooking in the building next to the flight line and sleeping in tents without the luxury of the plywood floors and sides. Awarded to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the Navy or Marine Corps, distinguishes himself by extraordinary heroism not justifying the Medal of Honor. months in South Vietnam during the period indicated in Chapter 6, Since there is an order of precedence to these awards, here are the top 15 military medals ranked in descending order. Rescued and administered first aid to several wounded soldiers and led a group to defeat an enemy force, causing them to retreat and leaving behind 54 of their dead, many weapons, and grenades. (b) Be sustained so as to demonstrate a high state of development or, if for a specific achievement, be of such merit as to earn singular recognition for the act(s); and United States Department of Transportation, NSMV National Security Multi-Mission Vessels, Federal Ship Financing Program (Title XI), Maritime Environmental and Technical Assistance (META) Program, National Advisory Committee Meeting Information, History of the National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF), United States Merchant Marine Research Guide, The National Maritime Heritage Grant Program, National Historic Preservation Act Assessments, The U.S. Risked his life attempting to save the lives of his entrapped comrades and commanding officer, Threw himself between enemy fire and an injured fellow Marine, Covered a grenade with his helmet and body, saving eight men, Risked his life by repeatedly leading groups of men in fighting back an enemy attack. Regiment Level unit. FOR FRIENDLY FOREIGN NATIONS, Thailand - 29 Mar 73 - 15 Aug If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. operations commenced the next day. (1) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; Awarded for service in the American merchant marine during the Korean Conflict in waters adjacent to Korea between June 30, 1950and September 30, 1953. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Eligible. Sacrificed his life to save other soldiers by smothering a grenade with his body, For smothering an explosive blast with his body to protect those around him. (3) while serving with friendly foreign forces in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. Encounter during The Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal will not be awarded for service involving participation in aerial flight after 1 January 1969. C7.5.1.6. (c) Reflect most creditably on the efforts of the individual toward the accomplishment of the unit mission. Merchant Marine Medal for Outstanding Achievement. For his courageous actions while serving as radio telephone operator in Company C, 1st Battalion (Airmobile), 501st Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile) during search and clear mission. Led a patrol which rescued men who had been wounded and cut off from the rest of the company and in the process destroyed several enemy bunkers and machine gun emplacements. For smothering a grenade blast with his body to protect those around him, For a series of daring and valorous actions despite severe wounds, Sacrificed his life to save the life of his passenger. This page was last edited on 9 January 2023, at 10:39. Sacrificed his life to single-handedly eliminate a group of enemy soldiers, Assaulted an enemy platoon with another soldier preventing further casualties, Ong Muong Canal, Kien Hoa Province, South Vietnam, Successfully relayed commands through one of his men until an enemy attack was silenced and the boats he was leading were able to move to safety, Led his SEAL team on a mission to capture important members of the enemy and although seriously injured in the battle they eliminated an enemy force and took several prisoners. Philippine Liberation Ribbon. Australia and New Zealand awarded British and Commonwealth orders and decorations to their servicemen in Vietnam, including the Distinguished Service Order, and the Military Cross. A machine gun attack killed two soldiers and . For rescuing a group of surrounded American troops with his helicopter. Awarded to merchant mariners who have participated in an act or operation of humanitarian nature on behalf ofan individual or groups of individuals. awarded to military personnel, both South Vietnamese for twelve After being struck by enemy mortar, machine gun, and small arms fire he continuously fought and led his men against the enemy until dying from his wounds. To justify the decoration, the individual's service must clearly be rendered conspicuous above their comrades by an act so outstanding that it clearly distinguishes their gallantry beyond the call of duty from lesser forms of bravery; and it must be the type of deed which if not done would not subject the individual to any justified criticism. He destroyed 10 enemy bunkers and accounted for a large toll of the enemy, including two key enemy commanders, Flew multiple missions against heavy fire to evacuate 51 wounded men, Carried an explosive device away from three other Marines, Showed conspicuous leadership while organizing his unit's defense during a 34-hour enemy attack, Led his company in the decimation of a superior enemy force which left 156 dead on the battlefield, Sacrificed his life to lead his men against the enemy and personally destroyed two enemy bunkers with hand grenades, After his unit was ambushed, he assaulted the enemy forces, allowing the remainder of the unit to recover wounded and continue their advance, A Chaplain who was killed while attempting to rescue a wounded corpsman, Was killed while providing medical attention to several wounded Marines, Sacrificed his life to save several Marines by smothering a grenade with his body, Risked his life by attacking a wave of enemy forces alone to allow the rest of his platoon to escape, Risked his life to rescue several Marines and corpsman from a minefield, For assaulting an enemy position and aiding a fallen Marine despite severe wounds to himself, Killed while assaulting heavily fortified enemy bunkers, For absorbing the blast of a malfunctioning grenade in order to protect his fellow Marines, For assisting fellow prisoners while a prisoner of war, Killed while holding off an enemy ambush while wounded, so his comrades could be evacuated, For repeatedly flying into a landing zone under intense enemy fire to rescue and resupply ground troops, Sacrificed his life to save five Marines by smothering a grenade with his body, For single-handedly destroying two bunkers while under fire from a third machine gun during an ambush. 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