Vietnam Civilian Service Award Explained

Vietnam Civilian Service Award
Presenter:	United States Department of State
Type:	Medal
Eligibility:	Foreign Service, Civil Service
Awarded For:	"Civilian service on land, sea, or airspace of Vietnam from 1959-1975."
Status:	Discontinued
Higher:	Meritorious Honor Award
Related:	Vietnam Service Medal Merchant Marine Vietnam Service Medal
Lower:	Expeditionary Service Award
Image2 Size:	106px

The Vietnam Civilian Service Award is a discontinued award of the United States Foreign Service.^[1] It was presented to employees of the U.S. State Department, USAID and USIA assigned to diplomatic and consular facilities in Vietnam, or other civilian service in the airspace or territorial waters of Vietnam, greater than a year.^[2]

The award consisted of a medal set and a certificate signed by the Secretary of State.

Criteria

The following criteria were applicable to granting an Award for Valor:

• Sustained superior performance while under threat of physical attack or harassment; or
• An individual act of valor or exceptional performance at the risk of personal safety.

Military Use

American military personnel were ineligible for this award, as they were awarded the equivalent Vietnam Service Medal instead.

Notable Recipients

• Lieutenant Colonel John Paul Vann, USA- Recipient of both the United States' military and civilian award for service in Vietnam; returned working for the federal government after his retirement from the U.S. Army.
• Ambassador Samuel R. "Sandy" Berger, for service in South Vietnam, 1968 to 1972.
• Chief Warrant Officer 4 Hershel Williams, USMC, Medal of Honor recipient.

See also

• Awards of the United States Department of State
• Awards and decorations of the United States government
• United States Department of State
• U.S. Foreign Service

Notes and References

1. Johnson, Lyndon B. Lyndon Johnson 1967. Public Papers of the President of the United States, 1967, p. 779-782. http://quod.lib.umich.edu/p/ppotpus/4731566.1967.002/171?page=root;rgn=full+text;size=100;view=image;q1=vietnam+civilian+service
2. Web site: Civilian Service in Vietnam Medal Ribbon.