The Special Service Medal ( vi, Biệt-Công Bội-Tinh) was a decoration of
South Vietnam which was issued between the years of 1950 and 1974. The decoration was awarded to any military service member who performed an act of outstanding meritorious service to the Vietnamese State. The Special Service Medal was also awarded to members of foreign militaries and was presented frequently to members of the
United States Armed Forces
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. The armed forces consists of six service branches: the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. The president of the United States is ...
during the years of the
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War (also known by other names) was a conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. It was the second of the Indochina Wars and was officially fought between North Vietnam a ...
.
The U.S. military considered the Special Service Medal to be the equivalent of the
Bronze Star
The Bronze Star Medal (BSM) is a United States Armed Forces decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone.
Wh ...
. When awarded to U.S. personnel, the decoration was permitted for wear on U.S. uniforms after all
United States military awards.
In 1975, with the fall of
Saigon, the South Vietnamese military effectively ceased to exist and the Special Service Medal became obsolete. Today, it is only available by private purchase through military insignia dealers.
See also
*
Military awards and decorations of South Vietnam
References
External links
Military Orders, Decorations, and Medals of the Republic of Vietnam{{ARVN
Military awards and decorations of Vietnam