Criteria The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, kill... The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may die of wounds received in armed combat or as a result of an act of international terrorism. MoreHide
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HO BO WOODS; Arty short round in base camp, per COFFELT.
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
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
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Counteroffensive, Phase III, 1 June 1967 - 29 January 1968
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 This campaign was from 1 June 1967 to 29 January 1968.The conflict in South Vietnam remains basically unchanged. As Operation JUNCTION CITY ended, elements of the U.S. 1st and 25th Infantry Divisions,This campaign was from 1 June 1967 to 29 January 1968.The conflict in South Vietnam remains basically unchanged. As Operation JUNCTION CITY ended, elements of the U.S. 1st and 25th Infantry Divisions, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, and the forces of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam swung back toward Saigon to conduct another clearing operation, MANHATTAN. This took peace in the Long Nguyen base area just north of the previously cleared "Iron Triangle."
South Vietnamese Armed Forces became more active and capable under U.S. advisors. During the year the Vietnamese Special Forces assumed responsibility for several Special Forces camps and for the CIDG companies manning them. In each case all of the U.S. advisors withdrew, leaving the Vietnamese in full command.
With an increased delegation of responsibility to them, the South Vietnamese conducted major operations during 1967, and, in spite of VC attempts to avoid battle, achieved a number of contacts.
Despite the success of U.S. and South Vietnamese Army operations, there were indications in the fall of 1967 of another enemy build-up, particularly in areas close to Laos and Cambodia. In late October, the VC struck again at the Special Forces Camp at Loc Ninh. Fortunately Vietnamese reinforcements saved the camp. At the same time, approximately 12,000 VC troops converged on a Special Forces camp at Dak To. This camp was located in northern Kontum Province, where the borders of Laos, Cambodia, and South Vietnam meet. In response to this potential threat, the U.S. and South Vietnam committed a total of sixteen battalions to the region to counter a disturbing enemy resurgence at Kontum and Loc Ninh.... More
Description Operation KUNIA was a First Brigade, 25th Infantry Division operation conducted in the Ho Bo Woods, northeast of Cu Chi. The long time rest and staging area for VC/NVA forces proved of primary importOperation KUNIA was a First Brigade, 25th Infantry Division operation conducted in the Ho Bo Woods, northeast of Cu Chi. The long time rest and staging area for VC/NVA forces proved of primary importance to enemy forces in Hau Nhgia province. The Golden Dragons launched KUNIA on 15 September 67 with a heliborne combat assault. Within a matter of minutes all four rifle companies were on the ground and moved out on a detailed search and destroy mission. Each Infantry battalion was given a section of the Ho Bo Woods for an AO and was responsible for searching and destroying all VC forces and installations. The Golden Dragons met with immediate success on the first day when they uncovered a large base camp complex. Painstaking effort was made to thoroughly search the area. The Dragon soldiers uncovered documents, clothing, ammunition, rice and many bicycles. In conjunction with the detailed search and destroy mission carried out by the two Infantry battalions the mechanized battalion of the brigade secured a land clearing team of 30 Rome plows which had the mission of leveling the Ho Bo Woods. The job was magnanimous, movement was slow and the Golden Dragons were constantly exposed to mortar attacks, hundreds of well-concealed booby traps and stick mines and harassing small arms fire from stay-behind units. Casualties from the booby traps during this operation were the highest yet encountered by the Golden Dragons. From experience, the leaders of the 2/14th recognized a need to vary daily patterns of movement. Working out of established bases for five or more days at a time, it was discovered that the VC were staying one step ahead and booby trapping the area the units would move into the following day. Once this was recognized and the pattern broken, incidents of this nature were stopped. Another lesson learned during this operation was that the VC were registering their mortars on the CH-47 aircraft which brought re-supply at night and extracted in the morning. From a thousand meters away the VC could line up their mortars on the CH-47 as it hovered over the LZ dropping or picking up equipment. It became necessary to send out, or in some cases leave out, patrols during these times and to use two or three different LZ’s with the helicopter making a low-level approach. As the operation progressed and more land clearing was accomplished, units began to uncover large tunnel complexes. Near the end of the operation two extensive tunnel complexes were discovered. Tunnel rats were used to first check out and map the tunnels as far as possible, but due to cave-ins caused by the Rome plows and air strikes, this proved difficult. Because of the close proximity of the Saigon River, an experiment in flooding the tunnels was initiated. This project involved airlifting in thousands of feet of six-inch pipe and water pumps. Once constructed, colored dye was used to mark the tunnel length and exits. This method proved moderately successful. The great quantities of water pumped in at 1000 GPM caused most of the tunnels to cave in. In cases where the tunnel was so deep as to not cave in, powdered CS gas was placed in the mouth of the tunnel and the entrances blown. While on a detailed search operation, Company A located a large weapons cache which included three 30 cal machine guns complete with tripods and T&E mechanisms, two BAR’s, a Russian assault gun, four Chicom light machine guns, a 60mm mortar, four 9mm parabellum French Commando grease guns and large quantities of 50 cal and 75mm ammunition. In addition, a clothing factory was uncovered revealing over 350 lbs of cloth and uniforms. Operation KUNIA was highly successful, resulting in a complete search and destroy operation covering the entire Ho Bo Woods. The land clearing operation which followed completely leveled all foliage. This joint effort succeeded in denying the VC effective use of this well-fortified stronghold. During Operation KUNIA Captain William A. Montgomery assumed command of Company A and Captain Joseph R. Maio assumed command of C Company.... More