Wan to know US Army American Campaign Medal Vietnam

[jlt1986]

I bought a grouping from a relative of a Vietnam veteran that passed away. On his DD214 it says he was awarded the American Campaign Medal with ``V`` device. How would he have earned this. Also he has a cloth jump wing sewn on one of his shirts but the award is not on his DD214.

 

[USMCR79]

My guess is that it may say “ARCOM” on his 214 - Army Commendation Medals could be earned with a V and were commonly awarded during Vietnam

 

Bill

[Blacksmith]

Also, DD-214s are a language of their own, with a lot of acronyms that can be pretty cryptic. Look in both sections 24 & 25, for “ABN”, “PRCHT BAD”, and variations. It will not typically say Airborne or Jump Wings in plain English.

[MattS]

Posting a photo of the "Awards and Decorations" section of the DD-214 would be extremely helpful.

[jlt1986]

On line 25 it says : Combat Infantry Badge Two Good Conduct Medal Combat Inantry Badge (see 30)

Army Commendation Medal W/V Device American Campaign Medal W/ V Device Air medal

Bronze star Medal Vietnam Cross of Gallentry W/palm Two Purple hearts Marksman (Rifle)

Vietnam Campaign Medal W/ 60 Device Vietnam Service Medal Air Medal

Also no mention of Silver Star Medal that was with the grouping

[MattS]

Yeah, that's all kinds of messed up but not uncommon either.

[MattS]

My guess is National Defense Service Medal, no "V" device authorized on that though.

 

Also, is the SS or any of the other medals engraved?

[seanmc1114]

On line 25 it says : Combat Infantry Badge Two Good Conduct Medal Combat Inantry Badge (see 30)

Army Commendation Medal W/V Device American Campaign Medal W/ V Device Air medal

Bronze star Medal Vietnam Cross of Gallentry W/palm Two Purple hearts Marksman (Rifle)

Vietnam Campaign Medal W/ 60 Device Vietnam Service Medal Air Medal

Also no mention of Silver Star Medal that was with the grouping

Although you will often see minor mistakes on these documents and a wide variety of nomenclature, I would be really suspicious not only of a reference to "American Campaign Medal W/ V Device" (both because that medal was not only never authorized to be worn with a V device but also not awarded to anyone after 1946), but also the references to "Two Good Conduct Medal" (should be "Good Conduct Medal 2nd Award" or a similar variation) and "Two Purple Hears" (should be "Purple Heart with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster" or similar language).

[MattS]

I recall some army S-1 personnel clerks that were not the most competent, but that is all kinds of messed up.