Established by decree on May 12, 1964 and modified on December 2, 1965, the Vietnam Staff Service Medal was awarded by the Chief of Joint General Staff of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces (RVNAF) to officers and enlisted personnel who performed staff duty. The medal was not merely a recognition of time served, but rather was intended to recognize the display of superior initiative and outstanding devotion to duty. Foreign personnel were eligible for the award provided the met those requirements and the award was authorized through appropriate RVNAF channels.
The Staff Service Medal was issued in two degrees, officer and enlisted, with the only difference in design being the color used for the ribbon border: Blue was employed for officers’ awards, green for NCOs and enlisted personnel. For RVNAF members who received the Staff Service Medal, it ranked 19th in order of precedence, above the Technical Service Medal and below the Leadership Medal.
While this medal is officially recognized as a legitimate foreign decoration approved for acceptance and wear by the U.S. Army, veterans must do more than prove they were awarded the medal for the decoration to be listed on their DD Form 214s. Inclusion on this important document requires proof that a commander (in the rank of brigadier general or higher) who exercised general court-martial authority approved the acceptance, retention, and permanent wear of the award.
NCOs and enlisted personnel
click here for the 2nd Class version of the award.