Hello all,

 

Do you have any information about this medal?

 

 

I think it is a local manufacturing but I am not sure.

 

Thanks in advance,

Cordialy,

Jérôme

 

This is a Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and it is indeed Vietnamese made. It is missing the hanger, which would look like the bent brass wire hanger used by the French on their medals.

 

Allan

Here is a complete example with the wire hanger Allan mentions.

 

Thanks for your answer.

The Vietnamese made was wear by american soldiers?

Is it a molding?

 

Regards,

Jérôme

Jerome,

I believe that these medals were die struck as you normally find a bit of a sharp edge to the back side of these medals. This medal could have been awarded to an American, or to an ARVN soldier, or even to an Aussie or other allied soldier serving in Vietnam.

 

Allan

thank you for his clarification Allan!
Finally, I have one last question: Is this medal current or rather rare in this production?

This is a South Vietnamese medal, so it ceased being awarded after 1975. Not rare, they're out there. I believe it was close to the equivalence of a French Croix de Guerre. Awarded to many American troops as previously said.

Hi Jérôme,

 

The medal was created on August 15, 1950 and was awarded to military personnel, civilians, and Armed Forces units and organizations in recognition of deeds of valor or heroic conduct while in combat with the enemy.

 

Individuals who received the medal, ribbon, and a citation were personally cited at the Armed Forces, Corps, Division, Brigade or Regiment level. The Republic of Vietnam authorized members of units and organizations that were cited, to wear the Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Emblem with Palm and Frame (no medal is authorized).

 

A scroll is on top of the map and is inscribed "QUOC-GIA LAO-TUONG" (Reward of the State).

 

Gallantry Cross with Gold Star: cited at the Corps level.

Gallantry Cross with Silver Star: cited at the Division level.

Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star: cited at the Regiment or Brigade level.

 

The United States military began authorizing the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross in March 1968 with retroactive presentation of the decoration to 1961. In 1974, Army General Order Number 8 confirmed eligibility for the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and Frame Unit Citation to every military unit of the United States Army which had served under the Military Assistance Command from 1961 to 1974, however, orders, specific as to dates and units, do exist for specific Army commands as well as for members of other services not affected by the Army General Order.

 

BTW, many French have received the Indochina War.

 

Ricardo.

This is a South Vietnamese medal, so it ceased being awarded after 1975. Not rare, they're out there. I believe it was close to the equivalence of a French Croix de Guerre. Awarded to many American troops as previously said.

 

Hello all,

 

my question is not: "Is this medal is rare" but "do this manufacture is rare?"

I know this medal usually but not this local manufacturing.

Thank you anyway for the interesting abstract, and sorry for my english...

 

Cordialy,

Jérôme

Jerome,

 

Is it a rare medal? No, it is fairly common. It is rarer to find one that was made in Vietnam than to find US made examples. A US made example will cost around $10. A Vietnamese made one with a nice ribbon and hanger will cost $25 to $30. Since your example has a faded ribbon and is missing the hanger, I would expect it to sell for around $20 USD.

 

BR

Allan

Allan,

 

thanks for your answer!

 

Regards,

Jérôme

VIENAMESE CROSS of GALLANTRY UNIT CITATION

 

in a previous comment, mention was made of the Cross of Gallantry being awarded as a Unit Citation. Attached pictures are of a Cross of Gallantry Unit Citation. As you can sea it is of typical in-country manufacture. Although I do not read Vietnamese, I believe it is for an ARVN / VNAF unit. Can anybody translate the inscription?

Hi,

 

chiến trường quận khu 2 means: Battle Area/District 2

 

Regards,

Jérôme

Jerome has given you a good translation. My translation is similar-

 

"The Zone 2 Battlefield" and "From 1/7/1971 To 11/3/1972"

 

I cannot tell you if that means January 1971 to November 1972 or July 1971 to March 1972. I don't know if the Vietnamese used European Day, month year, or if they used Month, day, year notation.

 

Allan

Not a U.S. medal.

"Not a U.S. medal." But awarded to many US soldiers.

Thanks for the translation. Could this just be the Vietnamese Way to say "2nd Corps"?

Does anyone have a picture of the original box that this award comes in?

 

this is what I could find. 

 

another variation, I guess

 

I also saw many yellow, green, or blue non descript boxes.