Vietnam Service Medal and Bar

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The Vietnam Service Medal was instituted by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 8, 1965. It was awarded to all members of the U.S. Armed Forces who served in Vietnam and its contiguous waters or airspace, after July 3, 1965, through to March 28, 1973. It is constructed out of a die stamped bronze base. The round shaped obverse features a grove of bamboo trees in front of an oriental dragon above “Republic of Vietnam Service”. The reverse features a lighted torch of the Statue of Liberty in front of a crossbow and above “United States of America”. To the top is a rectangular ball loop and ring which holds a yellow, red and green ribbon. The reverse has a bar that is maker marked: “SIMCO - GI” with a pin, hinge and catch assembly. It measures 1 1/4 in diameter. The medal comes with the bar as well.