United States Vietnam Civilian Service Award

United States Vietnam Civilian Service Award, a discontinued American government service decoration recognising eligible civilian personnel who served in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The award was associated with the United States Foreign Service and recognised qualifying service by employees of the Department of State, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the United States Information Agency (USIA) and other eligible government personnel. It recognised civilian service in Vietnam, its territorial waters or airspace between 1959 and 1975, with eligibility generally requiring at least one year of qualifying service. The award reflects the contribution of civilian government employees working in diplomatic, administrative and support roles during the conflict.

The medal features a dragon entwined around a torch, with the inscription “VIETNAM SERVICE” on the obverse. The reverse bears the inscription “GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES”. The design reflects the award’s association with American civilian service in Southeast Asia and distinguishes it from the military Vietnam Service Medal, which was awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces. The medal was produced in gilt bronze and suspended from a dark blue ribbon incorporating three yellow stripes, each divided by a narrow red line. The award is now discontinued and is less commonly encountered than standard American military campaign medals. It is of interest to collectors of United States civilian service awards, diplomatic history, Vietnam War memorabilia and twentieth-century American government decorations.

Condition

As new