| Vietnam Distinguished Service Order | |
|---|---|
Badge of the Vietnam Distinguished Service Order, first class |
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| Awarded by South Vietnam | |
| Type | Two-grade award. The two classes were: Officers Enlisted |
| Eligibility | Military personnel of South Vietnam and foreign countries |
| Awarded for | "meritorious or heroic deeds related to war time operations" |
| Campaign | Vietnam War |
| Status | No longer awarded |
| Statistics | |
| Last awarded | 1974 |
Army, Navy & Air Force Ribbon bars of each respective Vietnam Distinguished Service Order (1st Class ribbons on top row & 2nd class on bottom row) |
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The Vietnam Distinguished Service Order was a military decoration of South Vietnam which was awarded throughout the years of the Vietnam War. The decoration was bestowed for meritorious or heroic deeds related to war time operations and was awarded for both combat and non-combat service.
There were two classes of the Vietnam Distinguished Service Order, the first class being for officers and the second class for enlisted personnel. The first class of the order was differentiated by a blossom device centered on the medal and ribbon.
The Vietnam Distinguished Service Order was also provided to foreign militaries, and in the United States military the decoration was considered the equivalent of the Legion of Merit. For foreign officers, the 2nd class of the order was also provided to officers.
The decoration ranked immediately below the National Order of Vietnam and the Vietnam Military Merit Medal. It was among the less commonly bestowed medals, in contrast to such decorations as the Vietnam Gallantry Cross and Vietnam Campaign Medal.
The last issuance of the Vietnam Distinguished Service Order was in 1974, before the Fall of Saigon.
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