ReverendJake Posted December 8, 2013 Share #1 Posted December 8, 2013 I just picked up a nice vietnam era custom set id'd to a West Point grad with an air medal ribbon with two silver and four bronze OLCs. I know the army stopped using OLCs during Vietnam. My question is when exactly was this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
78CARg Posted December 8, 2013 Share #2 Posted December 8, 2013 The bronze clusters are for 1 additional award. The silver clusters signify 5 awards. So if Im counting correctly, that would be 15 air medals. I can't comment on the regulations during Vietnam. But I do think that is when they started to transition to using numerals, instead of the OLC's. Josh A. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefighter Posted December 9, 2013 Share #3 Posted December 9, 2013 Oak leaf clusters were initially used to denote subsequent awards of the Air Medal. The number of additional awards were so great that the oak leaf clusters did not fit on the ribbon. As a result, the policy was changed in September 1968 to require the use of numbers to indicate subsequent awards of the Air Medal. http://veteranmedals.army.mil/awardg&d.nsf/374fbd6468877ab385256b6600590a90/f899b90af9284b6785256b660063cfbd!OpenDocument Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReverendJake Posted December 9, 2013 Author Share #4 Posted December 9, 2013 I know that the Vietnam Gallantry Cross was authorized for U.S. wear at some point in 1968. Being that this has a Vietnam Gallantry Cross in addition to OLCs on the Air Medal do you think that if it wasn't made in the short period that both were authorized would you say that it is more likely earlier or later? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hueytaxi Posted December 9, 2013 Share #5 Posted December 9, 2013 I just picked up a nice vietnam era custom set id'd to a West Point grad with an air medal ribbon with two silver and four bronze OLCs. I know the army stopped using OLCs during Vietnam. My question is when exactly was this? image.jpg Not sure of the date, but returning stateside with my 24 awards of the AM I displayed the V and used OLC for the 24. When I returned again in 1971 I had my V's and the numerals 45. Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hueytaxi Posted December 9, 2013 Share #6 Posted December 9, 2013 double post....deleted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReverendJake Posted December 9, 2013 Author Share #7 Posted December 9, 2013 You wouldn't happen to still have this rack? I'd love to see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GIKyle Posted December 9, 2013 Share #8 Posted December 9, 2013 A good friend of mine served in Vietnam and remained in the Army until the 1980s as a Colonel. An official photo I have of him from I believe the late 70s still has him wearing an OLC on his Air Medal. He may have gotten away with this because he had one OLC as opposed to Roger's above, but I wanted to throw it out there that even though the regulation was published, everyone didn't run out and switch their racks. Kyle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReverendJake Posted December 9, 2013 Author Share #9 Posted December 9, 2013 Here's a photo of the back. What do you think the country of origin is? My guess is Taiwan or Japan based on the quality and the backing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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