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For service in VN in '66


mithridate
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mithridate

 

I'm gathering information in order to create a shadowbox of the medals/ribbons my uncle would be entitled to based on his service. I'm not worried about being necessarily era-correct/true to what he would have worn/been immediately awarded posthumously, as I'll be creating it with today's knowledge and materials. I'd appreciate any feedback anyone may have.

 

Background

Enlisted April 19, 1965

Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, Platoon 125; finished July 8, 1965

0351 (“Anti-tank Assault Man,” most recently Assault Marine)

9-week basic, then ~4-month infantry, MOS, staging = deployed around late Oct/early Nov?

III MEF / 1st_Marine_Division / 3rd_Battalion,_1st_Marines / M Co

(III MEF named something else back then; 3/1 opcon to 3rd Mar Div beginning May 22)

KIA May 10, 1966 (Quảng Tín Province)

 

Based on the above information and the cited sources, I believe he'd be eligible for the following:

Bronze Star (saw it decades ago at home with PH)

Purple Heart (saw it decades ago at home with BS)

Combat Action Ribbon (retroactively) (see SECNAV M-1650.1, pg 266)

Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation (see The 1st Marine Division and its Regiments)

Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (see SECNAV M-1650.1, pg 186)

National Defense Service Medal (see authorized periods)

Vietnam Service Medal w/ two bronze 3/16” stars (see MCO 1020.34H; Campaign Phases)

Vietnam Gallantry Cross unit w/ palm & frame (see SECNAVINST 1650.1H, pg 195; TIOH)

Vietnam Civil Actions Medal unit w/ palm & frame (see SECNAVINST 1650.1H, pg 195)

Vietnam Campaign Medal w/ 1960/60- (cite 1, Federal Register)

 

SECNAV M-1650.1 - https://www.secnav.navy.mil/doni/SECNAV Manuals1/1650.1.pdf

SECNAVINST 1650.1H - https://www.quantico.marines.mil/Portals/147/AWARDSMANUAL.pdf

MCO 1020.34H - https://www.marines.mil/portals/1/Publications/MCO 1020.34H v2.pdf?ver=2018-06-26-094038-137

The 1st Marine Division and its Regiments - https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/The 1st Marine Division and its Regiments PCN 19000314800.pdf

NDSM authorized periods https://prhome.defense.gov/Portals/52/Documents/RFM/MPP/OEPM/Docs/NDSM Authorized Conflicts.pdf

Campaign Phases - https://prhome.defense.gov/Portals/52/Documents/RFM/MPP/OEPM/Docs/VSM - Approved Campaign Phases.pdf

TIOH - https://tioh.army.mil/Catalog/Heraldry.aspx?HeraldryId=15473&CategoryId=9399&grp=12

Federal Register - https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1966-07-30/pdf/FR-1966-07-30.pdf

VCM cite 1 - https://awards.navy.mil/awards/webapp01.nsf/(vwAwardsDisp)/AW-10052085N5XE

 

Ineligible for:

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal because it auto-converts to Vietnam Service Medal?

Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal (not auth’d campaign; actual campaign medal exists)

Overseas Service Ribbon (SECNAV M-1650.1, pg 203)

Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation (SECNAVINST 1650.1H, pg 195)

 

 

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Cobra 6 Actual

Wow, that’a a lot of information. But please be aware that just because someone is eligible for an award doesn’t mean it was awarded. In our flawed military awards system all too often medals that should have been awarded are not. That is especially so for enlisted personnel. Again, it’a not right, but that is the reality. Best resource as a starting point is his DD-214.   
 

On another thread you asked whether he would have been awarded a BSM for meritorious service. Again, the DD-214 should give you an excellent starting point on that. But, in general, it would be relatively rare for a LCPL to be awarded a BSM for merit.

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mithridate

 

Thanks for the response!

 

I wholeheartedly understand and agree with awarded vs eligible/entitled to. Generally speaking, Guard units (at least all the ones I am familiar with) are notoriously bad at awarding proper recognition. Consequently, I correct records for people around me as a passion project. I research the proper justification, write up an AF Form 104, get a commander's sig, and submit (have done about a 100 of these). Sometimes I skip to the chase, and try our luck directly with the online AF Personnel Center portal (it's worked several times).

 

While my uncle's DD-214 will point to what was actually awarded (in '66), I'm trying to figure out what a subsequent DD-215 (in this fantastical, ideal world I'm conjuring up) would legitimately contain were I to submit a DD-149 (Request Correction of Military Records), supported by personnel records, regulations, etc. That's why I'm trying to vet my reading of the regs and the era.

 

I'd never try to pass it off as what he was actually awarded, but rather as what he eventually would have been able to get his records corrected to, and been able to wear, had he lived to see the day.

 

As far as the BSM goes, without anything to back me up on this, I'm guessing it's was more of a prevailing DoD policy as a gesture of kindness towards a grieving family.

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  • 3 weeks later...

The Q's up front:

- Aside from the explicitly mentioned medals below, is it reasonable to state that service member would be eligible for (and the records would be updated to reflect as much today if requested) the Good Conduct Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon?

- USMC Presidential Unit Citation as well as the unit versions of the VN Gallantry Cross and VN Civil Actions Medal given the dates, location and unit of assignment?

- Am I missing anything?

 

Mahalo!

Attila

 

 

Background: 

 

Nothing but high praise for the online records request/issuance process, which was quick and easy. I requested records online and received them 7 business days later here in Hawai'i.

 

Req'd uncle's DD214 on my father's (next-of-kin) behalf. Their response:
Thank you for contacting the National Personnel Records Center. DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, is not issued when a service member dies while on active duty. We are furnishing a Report of Death/Report of Casualty, in lieu of the requested document.

 

I received about 200 pages. Mostly pertaining to the dispute over the disposition of remains and SGLI benefits.

 

I did find explicit award of the following:

PH

NDSM

VSM

Republic of Vietnam Campaign ribbon bar (note: guessing either typo or it wasn't issued as a medal for US svc mbrs yet)

Military Merit Medal (VN)

Gallantry Cross with Palm (VN)

 

And I also have updated dates:

 

12-18 Apr 65 -- USMCR

19 Apr 65 - 10 May 66 -- USMC

 

2 Oct 65 -- embarked San Diego

17 Oct 65 -- disembarked Naha, Okinawa

12 Jan 66 -- embarked White Beach, Okinawa

17 Feb 66 -- disembarked Chu Lai RVN

 

1st Marine Division, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines

 

South China Sea

24 Jan - 17 Feb 66 -- Op Double Eagle (Phase I)

Quang Ngai RVN

19-28 Feb 66 -- Op Double Eagle (Phase II)

Tam Ky RVN

4-7 Mar 66 -- Op Utah Quang Ngai RVN

20-24 Mar 66 -- Op Texas Quang Ngai RVN

8 Apr 66 -- Op Iowa Tam Ky RVN

12-22 Apr 66 -- Op Hot Springs Quang Ngai RVN

10 May 66 -- KIA


 

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