During the Vietnam War, the United States provided the Republic of Vietnam not only with high-end communications and electronic warfare technology and military hardware, but also support personnel to operate, maintain, and repair it and teach their South Vietnamese counterparts to do the same.
On June 5, 1964, the Technical Service Medal was established to recognize both military personnel and civilians working in the technical branches of the Republic of Vietnam’s Army, Air Force, and Navy. Issued as a ribbon and a medal, the decoration was open to foreign personnel working alongside members of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces (RVNAF). Recipients of the honor had to display outstanding capacity in their professional knowledge and expertise, superior initiative, and a steadfast devotion to their duties.
As with many medals issued by the Republic of Vietnam, the Technical Service Medal was issued in two classes, one for officers and another for NCOs and enlisted personnel and civilians. The two versions are identical save for the addition of two thin, parallel red stripes in the middle of the ribbon.
The awarding authority for the Technical Service Medal was the Chief of the RVNAF Joint General Staff. It ranked 20th in order of precedence of medals issued the Republic of Vietnam, just below the Staff Service Medal and above the Training Service Medal.
AR 600-8-22 recognizes the Technical Service Medal as a foreign decoration that has been approved for acceptance and wear. NCOs and enlisted members of the U.S. military who were awarded the
2nd Class version of the medal can order their decoration
at this page on our Web site.