Vietnam Navy Gallantry Cross
Encyclopedia
The Vietnam Navy Gallantry Cross was a military decoration of South Vietnam
which was issued during the years of the Vietnam War
. The Navy Gallantry Cross was awarded to any member of the military who displayed meritorious or heroic combat while engaged in naval operations to benefit South Vietnam. The medal was awarded both for combat and non-combat service and was the equivalent of the United States Legion of Merit
.
The Navy Gallantry Cross was also awarded to members of foreign military forces, provided that such service members were engaged in direct operational support of Vietnam and that such naval actions benefitted the Vietnamese military. Officers of the United States Navy
were frequently awarded the Navy Gallantry Cross.
Similar decorations existed for general service and air service, and were known as the Vietnam Gallantry Cross
and Vietnam Air Gallantry Cross
. These were separate decorations from the Vietnam Navy Gallantry Cross which came in four different grades: with gold anchor, silver anchor, bronze anchor, and no anchor.
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
which was issued during the years of the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. The Navy Gallantry Cross was awarded to any member of the military who displayed meritorious or heroic combat while engaged in naval operations to benefit South Vietnam. The medal was awarded both for combat and non-combat service and was the equivalent of the United States Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
.
The Navy Gallantry Cross was also awarded to members of foreign military forces, provided that such service members were engaged in direct operational support of Vietnam and that such naval actions benefitted the Vietnamese military. Officers of the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
were frequently awarded the Navy Gallantry Cross.
Similar decorations existed for general service and air service, and were known as the Vietnam Gallantry Cross
Vietnam Gallantry Cross
The Vietnam Gallantry Cross was a military decoration of South Vietnam which wasestablished in August 1950. Also known as the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, the Gallantry Cross was awarded to any military personnel who have accomplished deeds of valor or displayed heroic conduct while fighting an...
and Vietnam Air Gallantry Cross
Vietnam Air Gallantry Cross
The Vietnam Air Gallantry Cross was a military decoration of South Vietnam which wasissued during the years of the Vietnam War. The Air Gallantry Cross was awarded formeritorious or heroic conduct while engaged in aerial combat...
. These were separate decorations from the Vietnam Navy Gallantry Cross which came in four different grades: with gold anchor, silver anchor, bronze anchor, and no anchor.