The Meritorious Service Medal ( vi, Vinh-Công Bội-Tinh) was a military decoration of
South Vietnam
South Vietnam, officially the Republic of Vietnam ( vi, Việt Nam Cộng hòa), was a state in Southeast Asia that existed from 1955 to 1975, the period when the southern portion of Vietnam was a member of the Western Bloc during part of th ...
that was awarded between the years of 1950 and 1974. Each of the three branches of the
Republic of Vietnam Military Forces
The Republic of Vietnam Military Forces (RVNMF; – QLVNCH), were the official armed defense forces of the defunct Republic of Vietnam and was responsible for the defense of the state since its independence from France in October 1955 to its de ...
had its own version of the Meritorious Service Medal. The medal was intended to recognize exceptionally important military achievement, both in combat and non-combat service, but did not warrant receipt of the higher decoration the
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order (DSO) is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, as well as formerly of other parts of the Commonwealth, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typ ...
.
Criteria
The Meritorious Service Medal was awarded, or posthumously awarded, to non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel in the Republic of Vietnam Military Forces who, during their period of service met one of the following requirements:
*Cited or wounded many times in combat or in line of duty.
*Accomplishing an exceptionally important achievement that reflects great credit on or is beneficial to the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces in any field.
The Meritorious Service Medal could also be awarded to foreign non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel for their meritorious service to the Republic of Vietnam.
See also
*
Orders, decorations, and medals of South Vietnam The system of Orders, decorations, and medals of South Vietnam came into being with the establishment of the National Order of Vietnam in 1950. Established by Bảo Đại, the head of state of the State of Vietnam, the order was the highest award o ...
References
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External links
Military Orders, Decorations, and Medals of the Republic of Vietnam Military awards and decorations of Vietnam