The Republic of Vietnam Wound Medal (Vietnamese: Chiến-Thương Bội-Tinh) was a military decoration of South Vietnam first created in 1953.[1] The medal was the South Vietnamese equivalent of the United States military's Purple Heart, and was awarded to any personnel of the South Vietnamese military who, while engaged in armed combat with enemies of the Republic of Vietnam, were either wounded or killed in action.

Wound Medal
Wound Medal
Awarded forBeing wounded or killed in action
Presented by South Vietnam
EligibilityMilitary personnel who were engaged in armed combat with enemies of the Republic of Vietnam
StatusNo longer awarded
EstablishedJanuary 6, 1953
Ribbon bar of the Wound Medal
Precedence
Next (higher)Loyalty Medal[1]
Next (lower)Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal[1]
RelatedUnited States Purple Heart
French Medal for the War Wounded

During the Vietnam War, the Wound Medal was often issued to Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) personnel for combat wounds received fighting the forces of North Vietnam or the Vietcong. The medal was seldom bestowed upon members of allied militaries such as the United States military and then only if the allied soldier in question was attached and under the direct command of a South Vietnamese unit.[citation needed] For service members of the United States military, the Wound Medal is not authorized for wear on a military uniform.

With the fall of South Vietnam in 1975, the Wound Medal became obsolete.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "HUY CHUONG AN THUONG TRONG QUAN-LU'C VlET-NAM CONG-HOA (Medals and Decorations of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces)". Government of the Republic of Vietnam. 1967. Retrieved 30 August 2016.