Civil Action Medal, Vietnam
Display Recognition

Site Index

      • Example Display Recognition
      • Applicable Military Branches
      • Display Types
      • Issue Requirements
      • Issue Regulations
      • Who May Apply
      • Administration Processing and Delivery
      • How to Apply for a Display Recognition
      • Mailing Address
      • Questions?
      • Other Display Recognitions
      • Vietnam War Websites
      • Example Display Recognition:
        Actual Size: 8 1/2 x 11



        The Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Medal is authorized as an individual foreign award to some members of the United States Army and certain units. It is authorized to all USMC and USCG personnel, and to all USN personnel who served in-country (on land). (Ref: SECNAVINST 1650.1G N09B13; 7 January 2002) who served in-country Vietnam.


        Military Branches
        In Alphabetical Order

        Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy

        Display Types

        You have four display types to choose from:
        Black & White (No Color)
        Heavy Bond Enclosure

        Heavy Bond Enclosure
        Colors: Regal, Black, Navy
        Trimmed in Appearance Gold

        Ready for Mantle or Shelf Display

        Issue Requirements

        You must submit the following document displaying your Combat Action Medal award:

      • An unaltered photocopy of your
      • DD-214
      • or DD-215
      • or General Orders
      • NOTICE

        This Display Recognition is available ONLY to authorized recipients who possess orders, or authorization form, or release documentation that confirms award eligibility. (See "Issue Requirements"). To obtain either a Display Medal or a Display Recognition for your authorized award you will be required to provide military-issued documentation authorizing your award. There are no exceptions.

        WARNING!
        You must NOT submit a military issued document or photocopy that:

        • has been altered in any way by you after
          the original's official issue
        • contains information or corrections or
          additions that you entered
        • lists awards or training you knowingly did not receive
        • contains highlighting, colorizing or other markings you entered

        Be advised that on request any knowingly fraudulent document sent by you will be released to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that may result in prosecution and/or fine/imprisonment.

        Email Questions, or Phone: 1-562-422-4100 (Pacific Time Zone)

        Personnel Branch
        Processing and Delivery

        Style Admin Shipping Total
        Full Color .PDF (Printable) $7.50 Emailed $7.50
        Published Document only (Full Color) $14.00 $10.50 USPS $24.50
        Published Document in Heavy Bond Enclosure (Full Color) $19.00 $10.50 USPS $29.50
        Full Color Printable Certificates
        on CD-Rom (minimum 20 Certificates)
        $7.50 $7.50 By Count

      • Total/Shipping fees, above, apply to 50 U.S. states
      • Contact The War Library for international shipping cost
      • How to Apply

        You may apply for your Display Recognition using a...

      • Check Debit card (* Shipped within 1 week)
      • Charge card (* Shipped within 1 week)
      • Personal, Business, Bank or Cashiers Check ( Shipped in 6 weeks)
      • Money Order (* Shipped in 6 weeks)
      • (* Upon reception of required documentation)

        Complete and MAIL this APPLICATION FORM.

        DISPLAY RECOGNITION and/or MEDAL APPLICATION FORM

        Mailing Address

        Records Chief (REC-AMW)
        The American War Library
        817 East Via Carmelitos Ste 319
        Long Beach CA 90805-7549

        Questions?

        Click here for answers to common questions

        Email: Vietnam Civil Action Medal Display Recognition Inquiry

        Telephone: 1-562-422-4100 (Pacific Time Zone)

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        Issue Regulations
        Vietnam Civil Action (VCAR)

        The VCAR consists of:
        1. a Certificate
        2. a full-size medal
        3. a miniature medal
        4. an individual's (frameless) ribbon
        5. a unit (framed) ribbon.
        Eligible recipients may obtain all five.

        1. Description: Medal: A bronze eight pointed star with alternating points of the star lined, superimposed by a disk with a figure of a soldier, a child and a farmer with a shovel, all enclosed by a white enamel designation band inscribed DAN-VU at the top and BOI-TINH at the bottom. Ribbon: The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches in width and consists of the following stripes: 3/32 inch Bottle Green; 3/16 inch Scarlet; 23/64 inch Bottle Green; 1/64 inch Scarlet; 1/16 inch Bottle Green; 1/64 inch Scarlet; 23/64 inch Bottle Green; 3/16 inch Scarlet; and 3/32 inch Bottle Green. The ribbon is worn with a palm to indicate level of awarding authority. The ribbon is enclosed behind a gold color metal frame.

        2. Criteria: The Republic of VCAR Medal is authorized as an individual foreign award to some members of the United States and foreign Army and Air Force and a unit award to certain US and foreign Army and Air Force units. However, the VCAR is authorized to ALL US Navy and Marine Corps personnel (and foreign Marine and Naval personnel who served under MACV) who served in-country Vietnam. [Ref: SECNAVINST 1650.1G N09B13; 7 January 2002)]. (USN and USMC personnel stationed on vessels are not authorized unless their vessel was awarded the VCAR, or their vessel was authorized the Humanitarian Service Medal for civil action during Operation Frequent Wind [Vietnam Service medal applies].)

        The unit citation of the Republic of VCAR Medal was awarded certain units by the Vietnamese government for meritorious service during the period 1 March 1961 to 28 March 1974. Individuals who received the RVN Civil Actions Medal as an individual award are authorized to wear the medal. Personnel assigned to an unit which was awarded the medal are authorized to wear the medal and unit award emblem. [Ref: US Military Awards: http://www.amervets.com/library.htm

        b. Organizations which have been awarded the Republic of VCAR unit award may display a streamer on the organizational flag. The streamer is the same pattern as the ribbon with the palm near the heading of the streamer. The inscription will be as indicated on the unit's lineage and honors.

        c. The Republic of VCAR Medal was awarded as an individual foreign decoration in certain instances. When worn as an individual foreign decoration, it is worn without the gold frame.

        d. Recipients of the Vietnam Honor Medal are authorized the VCAR.

        e. In 1974 Chief of Naval Operations, Adml James L. Holloway, requested and received authorization from the Govt of Vietnam to authorize the VCAR (First Class) to all USN and USMC personnel (and all USCG personnel serving on a USN vessel or in a USN ground unit [in Vietnam] ). (Army and Air Force personnel are not included in this 1974 USN/USMC-only authorization.)

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