'What's happening now is worse': Midway skipper who pushed choppers off c. U.S. Navy personnel who served as advisors to the Vietnamese Navy personnel in an in-charge position, and officers and enlisted whose units were turned over to the Vietnamese Navy before they had acquired the requisite 6 months eligibility as stated above, are authorized to wear the insignia provided the total operational time and advisory time on the craft equal 6 or more months. The ship then returned to San Diego for a year where the Blue Ridge was outfitted with surface-to-air missiles, and then returned overseas in early 1975. <>>> Send the form to: Bureau of Naval Personnel Liaison Office Room 5409, 9700 Page Avenue St. Louis, MO 63132-5100 To obtain information about unit awards earned, contact the Chief of Naval Operations, Awards and Special Projects Branch at the address below. This group is here so that those of us US Navy folks who participated in the evacuation of Saigon, aka Operation Frequent Wind, can amass and share thoughts, ides, and feelings about that "war. -No person will be entitled to more than one award of the V. Service Medal. Operation Frequent Wind The purpose of this page is to assist veterans in obtaining medals and ribbons due them as a result of their direct participation with units which may have been awarded commendations, citations, or awards during the Vietnam war. xY7 ;c]N` Yv}h[-AbD0Ra ib#HF The initial decision to depart Saigon was made to evacuate the Defense Attach's office by fixed-wing aircraft. Be sure to include your full name, a mailing address, phone numbers, your service number and your social security number in your letter in the event it gets separated from your Form 180 and Form DD214. The 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade, a task force of the III MEF successfully extracted by helicopter more than 7,000 Americans and Vietnamese from Saigon, Vietnam, in Operation Frequent Wind. Patrol Boat Fast (PCF) Only one award per operation is authorized. We had the pilots take the helos, and theyd put it into a bank and then jump out and the helo would crash in the water and then our boats would go pick em up.. Naval Advisory Group, RVN, 3. To justify this award, the unit mush have performed service of a character comparable to that which would merit the award of the Bronze Star Medal, or achievement of like caliber in a non-combat situation, to an individual. After you receive your medals why not make a point of sharing the news with a loved one or friend. 5) Select your Ship/Unit from the list. HKo8|tNtVR`~At?!G~r^IgBfj=^?#WOU[w_MgGr]^a k'HL6e#`[ _G# Servicemembers who earned the AFEM for Operation FREQUENT WIND, between 29 and 30 April 1975, may elect to receive the VSM instead of the AFEM. Logistic Support Craft (LCU, LCM, YFU) 112 0 obj <>stream It was presented to employees of the U.S. State Department, USAID and USIA assigned to diplomatic and consular facilities in Vietnam, or other civilian service in the airspace or territorial waters of Vietnam, greater than a year. It was a maddening process sending packets of information back and forth between the Navy and DOD. (Dont forget to hit your browsers Back button to return to this page). Operation Eagle Pull Display Recognition - amervets.com b?mP7B 0[Rx$nhN,D;Ne~, (No ships qualified), Grenada. 15) Consolidation I 1 July 1971 30 November 1971 Harbor Defense Craft Normal performance of duty or in a large number of combat missions does not in itself justify the award. b. 14) Vietnamese Counteroffensive Phase VII 1 July 1970 30 June 1971 Also automatically authorized is the Humanitarian Service Medal. This award may also be conferred upon units of Armed Forces of friendly foreign nations serving with the Armed Forces of the United States for outstanding performance in action, provided that such units shall meet the standards established for the Armed Forces of the United States. Be sure you inspect the contents thoroughly before tossing your packing material. Seal Support Craft (HSSC, MSSC, LSSC) endobj It was also discovered that Mike qualified for the following service medals: Mike received these medals at Saturday's "Support the Troops"rally at Jungle Jim's International Market. Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Vietnam in April 1975, moved over 50,000 people. A clarification in your letter may help because all of the unit awards were based on service with particular groups or units for certain time periods. Awarded by the Secretary of the Navy to any unit the Navy or Marine Corps which has distinguished itself by outstanding heroism in action against the enemy, but not sufficient to justify the award of the Presidential Unit Citation; or to any such unit which has distinguished itself by extremely meritorious service not involving combat but in support of military operations, rendering the unit outstanding compared to other units performing similar service. 4) Type in the first 4 characters of your Ship/Unit (b). 3) Click on Query Unit Awards in the upper right hand corner %PDF-1.6 % River Assault Craft. Admiral Flatley Award - for aviation safety. 1988 (http://www.amervets.com) 16907 Brighton Avenue Gardena CA 90247 1-310-532-0634, Military Personnel Database http://www.amervets.com/library.htmMilitary and Vet Info-Exchange/Discussion Groups http://www.amervets.com/share.htmPublic Information Office http://www.13105320634.com, Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message, Operation Frequent Wind and Vietnam Service Medal, You do not have permission to delete messages in this group, It is not the stories of war which are its valour but that America or any, You have never once in over 22 years shown a respect and after the expiry, http://www.amervets.com/replacement/vn.htm#isr, http://www.grapple369.com/a-brief-history-of-us-sdas-military-service-v2.pdf, http://www.grapple369.com/images/Medical_%20Caduceus.png, http://www.grapple369.com/jubilee2000.html, http://www.grapple369.com/images/Medical_Caduceus.png. hD?tAOa;U9DkizpDmQxukt^ut_}'a}_t/^W];]/}-^%T] ]m*f ^AT|^q?_\_u?_~Iw!+o~5ZZK~~^ZAl.KUW]oa(N$6Q-Cavm-oK&h.$6L3`V2? 0l&+UL\^%wMm;s' ~i40`0_1h0}|&#D&A(tH0L`,W, `D@vBh00^DDB"QDabh1"""""""?h(T,@e03 b\4#@2 ;X d@3 l#0]< ah-\r!g9CiAp?{Mn/B"$#LpM-kxt6@:o_; d;D}Hs`~HMmtCad<6HC Ai:v' CM o6Ai,==4P7o6>,#L wt?}7fR0` L L2C@8A;M'.Nx5BgP&y SGzAiX0ZEIa4}?]E]6~_NK5^(a@GD1@6'> a=6H:Xa=]]uvhx0]{0oh4W_?jkNAc~ _wo _~P4n{?F^KKO#xoepW~[K5_uk]}6:[MuoJ)]kJZ|+ kv;vXKu+%\l$6PjI Awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard in the grade of captain/colonel and junior thereto, who have actively participated in ground or surface combat. Personnel who qualified prior to 1 July 1992 while assigned to a Yard Patrol (YP) or Craft of Opportunity (COOP) Trainer craft are authorized to continue to wear the insignia. It may take 4-6 months for the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) personnel to respond to your request. Veterans who discovered they haven't received what they rightfully earned during their long-ago-service shouldn't have to jump through so many hoops to correct the record. Operation JUST CAUSE (Panama). The Navy Uniform Regulation states the following: c. SECNAVINST 1650.1F, Dated 8 August 1991. The degree of heroism required is the same as that which would be required for award of the Navy Cross Medal to an individual. Operation Frequent Wind - Navy Upon application, any such member may be awarded the VSM in lieu of the AFEM for such service. (4) With Bronze Star To a unit which is cited before a Regiment/Brigade. The Combat Action Ribbon will not be awarded to personnel for aerial combat since the Strike/Flight Air Medal provides recognition for aerial combat exposure; however, a pilot or crewmember forced to escape or evade after being forced down could be eligible for the award. b. Click on unit logos above for eligibility. 2 0 obj The aircraft carrier USS HANCOCK CV-19, the third vessel of the United States Navy named in honor of the famed statesman, John Hancock, was launched on January 24, 1944, at the Bethlehem Steel Company in Quincy, MA. The package you receive in a less than ceremonious way contains items which may be important for you to bring a little greater sense of closure to a chapter in your life for which you can be proud. After a long delay, Kenneth, who goes by Mike, received seven service medals on Saturday. 16) Consolidation II 1 December 1971 29 March 1972 It is not authorized for Soldiers who met the criteria in a one-time period, left active duty, and returned during the same period of eligibility (see chap 6 for service stars). (c) Served at a normal post of duty (as contrasted to occupying the status of an inspector, (d) Aboard a vessel other than in a passenger status and furnished a certificate by the homeport. I knew that we had also received the PUC, MUC and the AFEM. Thanks for posting all of this information. As gunners mate, Miller was in charge of the ships armory and was mount captain on one of the ships 3-inch, 50-caliber cannons. An award will not be made to a unit for actions of one or more of its component parts, unless such unit performed as a total team in a manner justifying the award. To qualify for award of the Vietnam Service Medal an individual must meet one of the following qualifications: (1) Be attached to or regularly serve for 1 or more days with an organization participating in or directly supporting military operations. (Evacuation operations, Saigon) 29 and 30 April 1975. As hostile Khmer Rouge forces approached Phnom Pehn, the capitol of Cambodia, the urgency to protect and remove American, Allied and Cambodian personnel named on the Khmer Rouge Death List grew rapidly. Minesweeping Craft Tank Landing Ship LST-1184 Frederick This one guy did about seven or eight of em I guess he liked doing it but he shouldnt have because he banked this helo, and it went up and he hit the water and that thing went right on top of him. v.0beq! }#TfIZp$uMhb+vog;Gq&&EqdK$A. The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal was awarded for Operation Frequent Wind, http://honours.homestead.com/usafexp.html, Combat Action Ribbon was awarded for Operation FREQUENT WIND. Operation FREQUENT WIND - 29 April - 30 April 1975. A full archive of past and present "River Currents" newsletters from your friends at MRFA. OR go toTHIS website and do the same: To download this file to you hard drive: Open the file and click on FILE and then SAVE AS in your Browser toolbar. Please contact our Webmaster, Mike Harris (mekong152@99w.us) If you are aware of any Navy unit awards for Vietnam that are not included on the lists, contact Mike with the information. I had like five ribbons, and I go, Man, Ive only got one, hes got five. So I thought, I know I earned more I found this website, Navy.mil and you put in what unit you were in, what ship you were on it tells you, if you were on (the ship) these dates, they owe you these ribbons.' Only one appurtenance will be worn on each badge. The Medal of Freedom for meritorious achievements or meritorious service to the United States on or after December 7, 1941, in the war against an enemy outside the continental limits of the United States. I was awarded the VSM as well. Naval Special Warfare Group, Vietnam The Anniversary of Operation Frequent Wind - USS Midway Museum (3) Accumulates required days service (consecutive or nonconsecutive) while participating as a regularly assigned air crewmember of an aircraft flying sorties into, out of, within, or over the area in direct support of the military operation. The unit must have displayed such gallantry, determination and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions to have set it apart from and above other units participating in the same campaign. (`v/u.7`zR?KslD_.g"hfhJD !c NATIONAL PERSONNEL RECORDS CENTER Upon request (unit personnel officer) any such individual may be awarded the VSM instead of the AFEM. We dont have lists of specific units for theRepublic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation, Civil Actions Medal, First Class Color, with Palm. 5) Vietnamese Counteroffensive Phase III 1 June 1967 29 January 1968 Qualifications as a Result of Service in the Republic of Vietnam Under Combat. !I4H:g,-?;c$mXm_,3=|ZO9=:r 6bVNGp\ O'n7TS2HqCN3fu$dJJ~YoHQ! This became a problem when Mike sought VA treatment for the effects of Agent Orange. The Military Departments are responsible for determining individual. Patrol Boat (PB, PBM, PBR, PCF) a. The transmittal letter is usually folded and placed in a slot on the outside of the manila envelope with your return address showing. See the unit awards below for links to pages which contain text for the citations. %PDF-1.5 11231 of 08 July 1965. (2) 1 January 1961 and 14 August 1974 (Vietnam) During the periods listed in paragraph 211b(1) and (2) for Korea and Vietnam, Servicemembers in the following categories will not be eligible for the NDSM: (1) Members of the ARNG and USAR on short tours of duty to fulfill training obligations under an inactive duty training program. (3) Any Servicemember on active duty for the sole purpose of undergoing a physical examination. C /uaF4nf C3 &h0OA 4?6 9 Nka,@m You should be able to print the citation text. No Servicemember may be issued both medals for service in Vietnam. A. endstream endobj startxref Letter, Dept of the Navy, Office of the Secretary, SUBJECT: Guidance to Administer the Combat Action Ribbon (CAR) IAW Public Law 106-65, dated 13 march 2000, (b). SECNAVINST 1650.1H Click HERE Then go to Page 7-5. IT IS. Awarded for active participation in ground or air combat during specifically listed military operations. No medal is authorized for this citation. Awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the air space thereof, between 03Jul1965 and 28Mar1973 and 29Apr75 thru 30April75, serving in direct support of operations in Vietnam. The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) (N86) authorized the Small Craft Insignia for junior officers and senior petty officers who had served as officer in charge (OIC) of Riverine or Coastal Craft, under combat conditions, in the Republic of Vietnam. In conjunction with this operation, Marine detachments from III MEF provided security of U.S. ships engaged in carrying Vietnamese refugees to Guam. Brief History USS Hancock CV/CVA - 19 Association X. Box 27, Tomball, TX 77375, (281) 255-2161 hb```e``c`d` BL,g7K{M9t[ ' Z:5D3eDNe@` , n1$d'a w}8D*@ # At the end of his career, he was manager of postal operations for the offices from Temecula to Calexico. Although the evacuation of South Vietnam had ended, the USAF still had to transport thousands of tons of cargo to refugee camps and move refugees from the Philippines to Guam. The ship was outfitted with the most sophisticated electronics systems of its time. COSRON ONE The performance of duty in carrying out a mission under the ordinary hazards of war, or participation in extended periods of combat duty, or in a large number of combat missions does not itself justify the award, which is designated to recognize specific acts of heroism on the part of the unit acting as a team. Merchant Marine Vietnam Service Medal, Defense 8 March 1965 to 24 December 1965, Counteroffensive 25 December 1965 to 30 June 1966, Counteroffensive-Phase II 1 July 1966 to 31 May 1967, Counteroffensive-Phase III 1 June 1967 to 29 January 1968, Tet Counteroffensive 30 January 1968 to 1 April 1968, Counteroffensive- Phase IV 2 April 1968 to 30 June 1968, Counteroffensive Phase V 1 July 1968 to 1 November 1968, Counteroffensive Phase VI 2 November 1968 to 22 February 1969, Tet 69/Counteroffensive 23 February 1969 to 8 June 1969, Summer-Fall 1969 9 June 1969 to 31 October 1969, Winter-Spring 1970 1 November 1969 to 30 April 1970, Sanctuary Counteroffensive 1 May 1970 to 30 June 1970, Counteroffensive Phase VII 1 July 1970 to 30 June 1971, Consolidation I 1 July 1971 to 30 November 1971, Consolidation II 1 December 1971 to 29 March 1972, Cease-Fire 30 March 1972 to 28 January 1973, Operation Frequent Wind 29 April to 30 April 1975 (USN, USMC, and USAF ONLY). There are (18) Named Campaign Periods that denote the service stars. A couple of words of caution: The Navy wears all unit ribbons on the left breast in a main ribbon cluster. Click on unit logos above for eligibility. endobj April 29, 1975 - Operation Frequent Wind The carrier was destined for the Pacific Fleet. -Servicemembers who earned the AFEM for Operation FREQUENT WIND between 29 and 30 April 1975, may elect to receive the VSM instead of the AFEM. Operation Frequent Wind - A South Vietnamese helicopter pilot and his family, safely aboard the USS Hancock, are escorted by a Marine Security Guard to the refugee area during an evacuation, Saigon, Viet Nam, April 29, 1975. OPERATION FREQUENT WIND, 29-30 APRIL 1975, WILL BE REFLECTED AS THE 18TH CAMPAIGN UNDER THE VIETNAM CAMPAIGN. (1) Participate, or have participated, as members of the U.S. military units in a U.S. military operation in which Servicemembers of any military department participate, in the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in significant numbers. Good morning everyone. Mike participated in the evacuation of Phnom Penh, Cambodia and Saigon, Vietnam. NOTE: Prior to 1992, the Merchant Marine Vietnam Service Medal was a ribbon-only decoration. It was a dangerous assignment, which resulted in some deaths. Awarded in the name of the President of the United States to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and co-belligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy. 7th Motor Transport Battalion "Roughrider" convoy from Da Nang to An Hoa. The decision to evacuate the entire US presence by helicopter under Operation Frequent Wind was made late morning, 29 April 1975, Saigon time. 12) Vietnam Winter Spring 1970 1 November 1969 30 April 1970 An award will not be made to a unit for actions of one or more of its component parts, unless such unit performed as a total team in a manner justifying the award. All Rights Reserved. The Vietnam Service Medal was established by EO 11231, 8 July 1965, as amended by EO 13286, 2 February 2003. Dominican Republic. Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull (SWATH) (MHS-1) assigned to support EOD Mobile Units. Seaborne Powered Target Craft (SEPTAR) (QST-33/35) North Vietnamese invasion forces began their final attack on April 29, which triggered an evacuation of Americans and South Vietnamese civilians and military officials. (c). Operation Frequent Wind 1975 - VA Disability Compensation Benefits The following amplifying remarks are furnished as guidance. The program featured the Fairfield Police Color Guard, Fairfield Mayor Ron D'Epifanio, and others. Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal optional conversion to the Vietnam Four decades later, Salinas veteran awarded medal for service in To justify this award, the unit must have performed service as a unit of a character comparable to that which would merit the award of the Silver Star Medal or a Legion of Merit to an individual. Commissioned 15 April 1944. Mike obtained sworn statements from others in his unit, and with the help of Speaker of the House John Boehner's Office, he was able to receive VA benefits and treatment. No medal is authorized for this citation. Personnel in clandestine or special operations such as reconnaissance and SEAL teams are eligible when the risk of enemy fire was great and was expected to be encountered. The military service of the Servicemember on whom qualification for the award of the AFEM is based will have been honorable. There were helicopters they blackened the sky - and we were offloading them.. 2. stream SECNAV Instruction 1650.1H Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual, c. Vietnam Service Medal - Wikipedia PDF Campaigns and Expeditions Which Qualify for Veterans' Preference The AFEM may be authorized for the following three categories of operations: (2) U.S. operations in direct support of the United Nations (UN). Haulman DATES: April4-September16, 1975 LOCATION: RepublicofVietnam(SouthVietnam)OVERSEASBASESUSED: Tan Son NhutAir Base(AB), Saigon,VungTau,. Navy Awards and Decorations - The Mobile Riverine Force Association Miller's biggest problem wasthat his DD-214 -- a document known as aCertificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty issued by the U.S. Department of Defense -- did not include his overseas service. PUC = Presidential Unit Citation 0 The stem of the palm is to the wearers right., Click HERE for the above quote provided by the Naval Personnel Command (Under 5319. PDF VietnamEvacuation: Operation FREQUENTWIND Vietnam Vet receives medals 35 years after service This is erroneous. The AFEM will be awarded only for operations for which no other U.S. campaign medal is approved. It was carried out on 29-30 April 1975, during the last days of the Vietnam War. H*2P t^.C0B&r&p1xc#|^@^. P 2) Vietnam Defense Campaign 8 March 24 December 1965 The stem of the palm is to the wearer's right." . The Fall of Saigon (the capture of the capital of Vietnam) by the Peoples Army of Vietnam and the Viet Cong on April 30, 1975, marked the formal end of the Vietnam War and the start of the reunification of Vietnam under the Socialist Republic. Wed make the pilots ditch the helos. 4. The palm for this award measures 9/16 inch in length with a 1/8 inch stem and four front leaves attached like a branch. Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal | Military Wiki | Fandom Miller recalled the. Vietnam Vet receives medals 35 years after service, Combat Action Ribbon-Operation Frequent Wind, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with one Bronze star- Operations Eagle Pull and Frequent Wind, Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze star- Operation Frequent Wind, Humanitarian Service Medal with one Bronze star- Operations Frequent Wind and New Arrival, 1 man hospitalized after shooting in Clifton, per CPD. The RVN Gallantry Cross was awarded by the Vietnamese Government for valorous combat achievement in four degrees, as follows: (1) With Palm To a unit which is cited before the Armed Forces. The Army bracket is larger because they wear their unit ribbons on the right breast. Personnel assigned to areas subjected to sustained mortar, missile, and artillery attacks who actively participate in retaliatory or offensive actions are eligible. In those instances, however, where a single unit received duplicate Vietnamese unit awards during the same period only one will be recorded in official military personnel and historical records. By the middle of May 1975, Guam harbored more than 50,000 Southeast Asian evacuees. endobj Inshore Undersea Warfare Group One National Capitol Historic Sales, P.O. No person will be entitled to both awards for Vietnam service. Wear gold frames with the Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation of the Gallantry Cross and Civil Action with palm. Veterans Preference and "Wartime" Service | National Archives If there is no link for a citation for a particular award, it means we need it so that it can be typed and added to this site. Note: 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 (VSM) for each of the following campaigns. (3) Was an evadee or escapee in the combat zone or recovered from a POW status in the combat, zone during the time limitations of the campaign. One bronze service star is authorized for each campaign under the following conditions: (1) Assigned or attached to and present for duty with a unit during the period in which it participated in combat. Where an individual has been assigned to a unit which was cited by two or more military command levels of the Republic of Vietnam, the appurtenance worn will be that of the highest level. Wearing Small Craft Insignia. MILITARY PERSONNEL RECORDS Special Warfare Craft (SWCL) The Vietnam Service Medalis a military awardof the United States Armed Forcesestablished on 8 July 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. Members qualified for the AFEM by reason of service between 01Jul1958 and 03Jul1965 (inclusive) in an area for which the Vietnam Service medal (VSM) was subsequently authorized shall remain qualified for that medal.