Decorations

1st Battalion 506 Infantry
Airborne/Airmobile

Vietnam

December 1967 - December 1971

	Vietnam Service Medal, awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States serving in Vietnam after 3 July 1965 through 28 March 1973. A soldier who received the Vietnam Service Medal is authorized to wear a bronze star to indicate each campaign that his battalion participated in while that soldier was in Vietnam. A silver star indicates five campaigns. The 1st Battalion of the 506th participated in 12 campaigns. Units which receive campaign credit would display a streamer with an inscription as shown on the unit's lineage and honors.
	Air Medal, awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement, or by meritorious service while participating in aerial flight, but not of a degree that would justify an award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.
	Presidential Unit Citation (Army), with streamer embroidered DONG AP BIA MOUNTAIN. This decoration is worn on the right side of the uniform.
	Valorous Unit Award, with streamer embroidered DEFENSE OF SAIGON. The Valorous Unit Award is 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 part for actions occurring on or after 3 August 1963. The Valorous Unit Award requires a lesser degree of gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps than that required for the Presidential Unit Citation. Nevertheless, the unit must have performed with marked distinction under difficult and hazardous conditions in accomplishing its mission so as to set it apart from the other units participating in the same conflict. The degree of heroism required is the same as that which would warrant award of the Silver Star to an individual. Extended periods of combat duty or participation in a large number of operational missions, either ground or air, is not sufficient. This award will normally be earned by units that have participated in single or successive actions covering relatively brief time spans. It is not reasonable to presume that entire units can sustain Silver Star performance for extended time periods under the most unusual circumstances. Only on rare occasions will a unit larger than a battalion qualify for this award
	Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1968. Effective 1 March 1961, the Meritorious Unit Commendation was authorized for units and/or detachments of the Armed Forces of the United States for exceptionally meritorious conduct in performance of outstanding services for at least six continuous months in support of military operations. Such service is interpreted to relate to combat service support type activities and not to the type of activities performed by senior headquarters, combat, or combat support units.
	Two Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation, one with streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1968-1969 and one with streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1971. This medal was awarded by the Vietnam Government to military personnel who accomplished deeds of valor or displayed heroic conduct while fighting the enemy and were cited individually at the regiment, brigade, division, corps, or armed forces level.
	Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class, Unit Citation, streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1968-1970. The unit citation of the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal was awarded certain units by the Vietnamese government for meritorious service during the period 1 March 1961 to 28 March 1974. The Republic of Vietnam Civil Action unit citation is authorized for permanent wear only. Personnel assigned to the organization during the period cited may wear the emblem.
	Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, awarded to personnel who served in the Republic of Vietnam for six months during the period of 1 March 1961 through 28 March 1973. Six months service was not required for individuals who were wounded by hostile forces; killed in action or otherwise in line of duty; or captured by hostile forces. The Secretary of Defense approved a request for approval of foreign awards to US Military personnel on 7 February 1966. As a result of this approval, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with device bar (1960- ) was awarded to US Armed Forces personnel by the Government of the Republic of Vietnam per Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Order No. 48, dated 24 March 1966. This period began 1 January 1960 with the end to be decided after the war was over. The ending period remained blank, since the Republic of Vietnam Government ceased to exist before the ending period was established.
Combat Badges
	The Combat Infantryman Badge was established by the War Department on 27 October 1943. It was designed to enhance morale and the prestige of the Infantry. To receive a CIB, a soldier must have been assigned to any infantry unit during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat.
	The Combat Medical Badge was established on 1 March 1945 by the War Department. The CMB was to recognize medical aidmen who shared the same hazards and hardships of ground combat on a daily basis with the infantry soldier. During the Vietnam War, the requirements were so stringent that recommending officials were required to document the place (in six digit coordinates), the time, the type of engagement, and also the intensity of fire to which the medical personnel were exposed.

The following information is taken from the 506th Infantry section of the 114-page Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3: Decorations, Awards, and Honors, Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register, published by Headquarters, Department of the Army, Washington, DC, 29 January 1988, Unclassified.
(Example: DAGO#16, 1972 = Department of Army General Orders Number 16, issued in 1972)

1st Battalion
Presidential Unit Citation -- 10-21 May 1969, DAGO#16, 1972
Valorous Unit Award -- 13 Jun-23 Sep 1968, DAGO#52, 1974
Meritorious Unit Commendation --14 Mar-3 Oct 1968, DAGO#5, 1977, amended DAGO#22, 1976
RVN Gallantry Cross w/Palm --19 Jul 1968-14 May 1969, DAGO#43, 1970;
1 Mar-9 Oct 1971, DAGO#6, 1974;
18 Apr-31 Aug 1971 and 6-19 Sep 1971, DAGO#6, 1974
RVN Civil Actions Honor Medal, FC -- 3 Oct 1968-2 May 1970 DAGO#48, 1971

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