Viet Nam Campaign Set (Regular >6mos)

The Australian Active Service Medal 1945-1975 was instituted for the purpose of according recognition to those who rendered service in warlike operations between 1945 and 1975. The medal is nickel plated with the obverse featuring a Federation Star surrounded by the legend ‘THE AUSTRALIAN ACTIVE SERVICE MEDAL 1945 - 1975.' The reverse has a wreath of mimosa surrounding a plaque showing the recipient's details. The ribbon has a central thin red stripe flanked by stripes of yellow, pale blue, dark green and purple, these colours being representative of the ribbon colours of the Imperial awards previously issued for campaign service.

Australian Vietnam Medal: This Medal can claim to be the second award, following the Australia Service Medal 1939-1945, created in the Australian system of Honours and Awards. The Medal was approved in 1968 by The Queen and counter signed by Prime Minister John Gorton. The Medal was created to recognise the service of members of Australian Armed Forces and accredited members of approved philanthropic organisations serving with our service personnel in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Service is recognised between the dates 29 May 1964 and 27 January 1973. It has also now been adopted by New Zealand as their Vietnam service medal. Qualifying service includes:

• 28 days in ships or craft on inland waters or off the coast of Vietnam.
• One day or more on the posted strength of a unit or formation on land.
• One operational sortie over Vietnam or Vietnamese water by aircrew on the posted strength of a unit.
• Official visits either continuous or aggregate of 30 days.

The Australian Defence Medal: Sometimes called the ‘4 Year Medal,’ the ADM was struck in 2006 to recognise service with the defence forces of Australia, the eligibility criteria includes former ADF members who completed their initial enlistment period, or four years service, whichever is the lesser. The criteria also recognises National Servicemen and those who could not serve the four-year qualifying period because of the ADF’s workplace and enlistment policies of the time. The expanded criteria also includes those who die/died in service or are medically discharged due to permanent injury and unable to reach four years or complete their initial period of enlistment.

The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal was issued by the Government of the Republic of Vietnam for service in the prescribed area of operations in Vietnam during the period commencing on 31 July 1962 and ending on 28 March 1973 for Australian personnel. The Australian government maintained the basic qualifying criteria specified by the Republic of Vietnam for allied troops. To be eligible for the medal a person must have completed a minimum period of 181 days, either continuous or aggregated, unless:

• killed on active service
• wounded in action i.e. classified as a Battle Casualty and evacuated as a result of those wounds, or
• captured and later released or escaped.