Civil Actions Medal

The Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal is a decoration of the former Government of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). The medal was first established in 1964. The Vietnam Civil Actions Medal is a mid-level service award which was awarded to any member of the Vietnamese military who performed outstanding civic service to the state or who participated in civil service actions of significant benefit. The Civil Actions Medal was awarded in two classes, with the first class intended for commissioned officers and the second for enlisted personnel. It was not possible to upgrade one class to another or to wear both classes simultaneously.

Unit Award

U.S. Army
Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation:

• The unit citation of the Civil Actions Unit Citation is awarded by the Vietnamese government for meritorious service. The award of the Civil Actions Unit Citation, First Class, is accompanied with Oak Leaf Clusters. The Palm used in the Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation is the Oak Leaf device and is worn with the stem to the wearer's right.
• The unit citation was awarded to certain units during the period 1 March 1961 to 28 March 1974.

U.S. Navy and Marine Corps
Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation:

• Awarded by the Chief of the Joint General Staff, Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces in two colors:
• Gallantry Cross Medal Color with Palm (8 Feb 1962 to 28 Mar 1973)
• Civil Actions Medal, First Class Color with Palm (1 Jan 1965 to 28 Mar 1973)
• The ribbon bar with frame and palm are authorized for wear. In addition to specific ships/units cited (in Southeast Asia) and authorized by the Secretary of the Navy, all Navy and Marine Corps personnel who served "in country" Vietnam during eligibility periods are eligible for both awards.
• Apply for awards as:
  Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross)
  Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Civil Actions Medal).

The unit award was also referred to as the Civil Actions Unit Award with Palm or as the Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation with Civil Actions Colors. The unit award of the Vietnam Civil Actions Medal was presented to all members of a military command who had participated in civic actions with such a degree that would normally warrant the presentation of the Vietnam Civil Actions Medal. The unit award appeared as the ribbon for the Vietnam Civil Actions Medal (First Class), enclosed in a gold colored frame with a centered bronze palm. Regulations did permit the simultaneous presentation and display of both the full sized medal and unit award, since the two awards were considered separate decorations. The Vietnam Civil Actions Medal was one of the more commonly bestowed Vietnam medals presented to the forces of foreign militaries.

In the United States Armed Forces, the Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation was most often awarded to units of the United States Army and United States Marine Corps which had participated in local police actions to suppress civil unrest in certain areas of South Vietnam. Other awards from South Vietnam include the Vietnam Gallantry Cross and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. The unit decoration is only available through private dealers of military insignia.

References

• "Vietnam Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation". Central American Mission. Archived from the original on 2006-05-25. http://web.archive.org/web/20060525000506/http://www.muxo.net/vietnam/medals/vcam.html. Retrieved 2006-10-10. 

External links

• Military Orders, Decorations, and Medals of the Republic of Vietnam