Criteria The Army Commendation Medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Army, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement,... The Army Commendation Medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Army, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement, or meritorious service. MoreHide
Comments
Awarded for Service in Vietnam as a combat infantryman.
Best Friends
Darrel Kane, my clerk at S-3 and later my Best Man when I married my wife, Vicki, in 1969.
Best Moment
Appointed 2d Sqdn Operations NCO (E-8 slot) as a young E-6
Worst Moment
Hearing Capt Carr, my former CO in H Troop, had been killed in Vietnam.
Chain of Command
Cpt Steven D. Carr CO H Troop - KIA Vietnam
Other Memories
With 38 days left on my enlistment I came down on a DA levy to go back to Vietnam. As I had a new baby at home and an appointment to become a Customs Security Officer (Sky Marshal) when I ETSed in Dec, 1970, I (not too regretfully) declined to re-enlist.
Criteria The Valorous Unit Award may be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy of the United States; while engaged in military oper... The Valorous Unit Award may be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or, while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. MoreHide
Description
Awarded to the 2/47th Infantry (Mechanized) for the Battle of Long Binh-Bien Hoa on 31 January 1968, the first day of the Tet Offensive.
Criteria The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members of the Army who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a specified period of conti... The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members of the Army who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a specified period of continuous enlisted active service (normally three years in peacetime). MoreHide
Criteria The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspa... The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspace; or, for any period of service during the same time period in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the air spaces thereover and in direct support of operations in Vietnam. MoreHide
Criteria The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspa... The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspace; or, for any period of service during the same time period in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the air spaces thereover and in direct support of operations in Vietnam. MoreHide
Criteria The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspa... The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspace; or, for any period of service during the same time period in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the air spaces thereover and in direct support of operations in Vietnam. MoreHide
Criteria The Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Colors) was authorized to be worn by units individually cited for service in military operations in support of the government of Sout... The Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Colors) was authorized to be worn by units individually cited for service in military operations in support of the government of South Vietnam. The actions cited are for the same services that would have resulted in the award of a Valorous Unit Citation by the Army or a Navy Unit Citation. MoreHide
Criteria This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical l... This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces for an aggregate of six months. Only members of the Armed Forces of the United States who meet the criteria established for the AFEM (Vietnam) or Vietnam Service Medal during the period of service required are considered to have contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces; or 3. Did not complete the length of service required in item (1) or (2) above, but who, during wartime, were: a. Wounded by the enemy (in a military action); b. Captured by the enemy during action or in the line of duty, but later rescued or released; or c. Killed in action or in the line of duty; or 4. Were assigned in Vietnam on 28 Jan 73, and who served a minimum of 60 calendar days in Vietnam during the period 29 Jan 73 to 28 Mar 73. MoreHide
Description During Phase II, II Field Force elements would focus their attention on the eastern portion of War Zone C, conducting search and destroy operations against COSVN, Viet Cong, and North Vietnamese forceDuring Phase II, II Field Force elements would focus their attention on the eastern portion of War Zone C, conducting search and destroy operations against COSVN, Viet Cong, and North Vietnamese forces and installations. The Saigon River was to be bridged at its intersection with Route 246 west of An Loc. At that site a Special Forces and Civilian Irregular Defense Group camp with an airstrip for C-130's was to be built. Establishment of fire support bases along Route 13 from Lai Khe to Quan Loi (east of An Loc).... More
Best Friends
Randy Perry from Flint, Michigan KIA Vietnam 1967
Best Moment
Winning the American Spirit Honor Medal as top trainee in the Battalion
Worst Moment
Pugil Sticks and the CN gas chamber In the latter, we had to unmask and yell, "Sir, A-19-5, best damned company in USATCA. Every man's a tiger! RAH!!" Then they'd steer you out of the chamber. Funny, the things that stick with you your whole life.
Instructors
Field First Sgt Carl Oliver KIA Vietnam
Other Memories
I was the first rainee Field First Sergeant in the unit, wearing E-6 stripes on an armband. I was chosen because I had 4 years Jr. ROTC at Morgan Park HS, Chicago.
Basic was pretty much a breeze for me and I actually enjoyed it. From my ROTC training I already had close order dril, rifle training, and a lot of the classroom subjects down-pat - except for those damned pugil sticks and the gas chamber! The hardest thing was staying awake in the overheated, coal-fired classrooms, popping No-Doz caffeine tablets like candy.
Criteria The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service... The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service during the current War on Terrorism. In addition, all members of the National Guard and Reserve who were part of the Selected Reserve in good standing between August 2, 1990, to November 30, 1995, are eligible for the National Defense Service Medal. In the case of Navy personnel, Midshipment attending the Naval Academy during the qualifying periods are eligible for this award, and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Midshipmen ae only eligible if they participated in a summer cruise that was in an area which qualified for a campaign medal. MoreHide
Darrel Kane, my clerk at S-3 and later my Best Man when I married my wife, Vicki, in 1969.
Appointed 2d Sqdn Operations NCO (E-8 slot) as a young E-6
Hearing Capt Carr, my former CO in H Troop, had been killed in Vietnam.
Cpt Steven D. Carr CO H Troop - KIA Vietnam
With 38 days left on my enlistment I came down on a DA levy to go back to Vietnam. As I had a new baby at home and an appointment to become a Customs Security Officer (Sky Marshal) when I ETSed in Dec, 1970, I (not too regretfully) declined to re-enlist.