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Quiz about Medals and Decorations of the Vietnam War

Medals and Decorations of the Vietnam War Quiz

Some interesting background and trivia on decorations issued to US servicemen in Vietnam by both the RVN and the US.

A multiple-choice quiz by DrDummy. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
DrDummy

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
330,280

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
418

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What South Vietnamese decoration was issued to almost all US soldiers in Vietnam? Hint

National Order of Vietnam

Order of Victory

Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm

Special Service Medal

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. For a period of time the RVN government awarded this highest gallantry award posthumously to any enlisted and NCO US soldier killed in action. Hint

Sacrifice Medal

Gallantry Cross with Star

National Order of Vietnam

Military Medal

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. The RVN Campaign Medal looks quite nice... yet there is something odd about its ribbon device. Hint

A red metal flame

A strange gilt palm leaf

A scroll that says "1960-"

Two crossed swords and a pistol

4. It's 1969. You've just completed your first tour in Vietnam with the Army and wear your ribbons on your dress as you head home. Which of the following would you usually NOT expect to have on your jacket? Hint

RVN Campaign Medal

National Defense Service Medal

Vietnam Campaign Medal

Soldier's Medal

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. For your exceptional service as colonel in Vietnam the ARVN award you this very prestigious medal. But when you first see it you think it's kind of a joke; the thing has a plaited ribbon on a jagged background, tassels, a rosette ... Hint

National Order of Vietnam 5th Class

Distinguished Service Order 1st Class

Honor Medal 1st Class

Special Service Medal

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. What was the main problem with US soldiers being awarded the RVN Wound Medal? Hint

They were not allowed to wear it on their uniforms

They forfeited issuance of a Purple Heart

There was no problem with it

The decoration was considered to bring bad luck

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. There was the Bronze Star Medal and another medal, the Silver Star. But was there something like a Gold Star medal? Hint

Yes, in South Vietnam

No, there was no such thing

Yes, in the US military

Yes, in North Vietnam

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Out of the 246 Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipients THREE were Hint

Chaplains

Conscientious Objectors

Colonels

Canadians

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Which of these could a superb pilot not possibly have been awarded during the Vietnam War? Hint

Aerial Achievement Medal

Air Medal

Distinguished Flying Cross

Air Force Cross

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. More than 3 million US servicemen served in the Vietnam War, of which more than 150,000 were wounded. Approximately how many Purple Hearts were awarded? Hint

350,000

75,000

150,000

1,000,000

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What South Vietnamese decoration was issued to almost all US soldiers in Vietnam?

Answer: Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm

The Gallantry Cross Unit Citation was extensively awarded to foreign troops by the government of the RVN. By 1974 it was decided to award it retroactively to any American Army unit involved in the Vietnam Conflict between 1961 and 1974, and therefore the soldiers.

2. For a period of time the RVN government awarded this highest gallantry award posthumously to any enlisted and NCO US soldier killed in action.

Answer: Military Medal

The Military Medal was modelled after the French M�daille Militaire, which could also only be awarded to enlisted men (and sometimes senior generals) for distinguished service. Reasoning that any man dying for the cause of the RVN made them a hero it was decided to award all of them this prestigious award.

However, with the increased numbers of US troops in Vietnam, and corresponding higher number of KIAs, the number of bestowals soared, and the policy was abandoned.

3. The RVN Campaign Medal looks quite nice... yet there is something odd about its ribbon device.

Answer: A scroll that says "1960-"

The "1960-" device was supposed to show the start and end year of the conflict, the latter to be engraved upon victory. As the RVN lost and ceased to exist the field was left empty, with only "1960-" on the scroll.

Answer: Soldier's Medal

The Soldier's Medal was rather rarely awarded for non-combat acts of heroism, in contrast to combat medals such as the Bronze Star Medal or the Commendation Medal with Valor Device.

Answer: Distinguished Service Order 1st Class

While it was based on ancient Vietnamese vestments for successful military commanders, given to them by the Emperor as a token of appreciation, it stands out as one of the most peculiar medal designs in modern history.

6. What was the main problem with US soldiers being awarded the RVN Wound Medal?

Answer: They were not allowed to wear it on their uniforms

While some may have thought that it brings them bad luck, Army regulations did not allow for the Wound Medal to be worn on the uniform, as the Purple Heart was the equivalent American decoration, and it was thus considered a needless redundancy.

7. There was the Bronze Star Medal and another medal, the Silver Star. But was there something like a Gold Star medal?

Answer: Yes, in North Vietnam

The Gold Star was (and is) the highest decoration of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, modelled after the Soviet Gold Star Medal. There is no connection to the American Bronze and Silver Star.

8. Out of the 246 Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipients THREE were

Answer: Chaplains

Three chaplains received it: Vincent R. Capodanno, Angelo J. Liteky and Charles J. Watters. William A. Jones III was the only full-bird colonel to receive the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War. Conscientous objector Thomas Bennett received it while serving as a medic, as did Canadian Peter C. Lemon as an infantryman.

9. Which of these could a superb pilot not possibly have been awarded during the Vietnam War?

Answer: Aerial Achievement Medal

The Aerial Achievement Medal was created in 1988, well after the Vietnam War had ended.

10. More than 3 million US servicemen served in the Vietnam War, of which more than 150,000 were wounded. Approximately how many Purple Hearts were awarded?

Answer: 350,000

Servicemen could receive multiple awards of the Purple Heart for multiple instances of wounding. However, the figure for physical wounds dwarfs in comparison to the 830,000 soldiers who were left with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to the mental wounds they received in Vietnam.

Source: Author DrDummy

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