2nd Bn., 1st Marines

Medals and Ribbons

(for Vietnam Service)

Presidential Unit Citation

All Armed Forces personnel assigned to the 1st Marine Division during the following time periods rate one PUC for each period:

29 March 1966 through 15 September 1967
16 September 1967 through 31 October 1968

All Armed Forces personnel assigned to the 1st Marine Division during the following time periods rate one MUC for each period:

1 January 1969 through 31 December 1969

All Armed Forces personnel assigned to the 1st Marine Regiment/1st Marine Division during the following time periods rate one PUC for each period:

31 January 1968 through 2 March 1968
20 November 1968 through 9 December 1968

All Armed Forces personnel assigned to 2nd Bn., 1st Reg., 1st MarDiv with the exception of Echo and Foxtrot Companies during the following time periods rate one PUC for each period:

10 December 1965 through 9 October 1966
10 October 1966 through 15 September 1967
16 September 1967 through 4 October 1967
27 March 1968 through 14 April 1968
21 August 1968 through 31 October 1968

14 April 1971 through 1 June 1971 (rates one MUC)

All Armed Forces personnel assigned to Echo Company, 2nd Bn., 1st Marines rate the following:

For service between 10 October 1966 through 27 April 1967...one PUC

For service between 6 June 1967 through 15 September 1967...one PUC

For service between 28 May 1968 through 29 May 1968...one MUC

For service between 3 March 1971 through 12 March 1971...one NUC

All Armed Forces personnel assigned to Foxtrot Company, 2nd Bn., 1st Marines rate the following:

For service between 10 October 1966 through 24 April 1967...one PUC

For service between 25 April 1967 through 5 June 1967...one PUC

for service between 6 June 1967 through 15 September 1967...one PUC

For service between 13 May 1968 through 16 May 1968...one MUC

Anyone who served with 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Platoon, 60mm, m-60 guns, or the Command Group of Foxtrot Company, 2nd Bn., 1st Marines rates one MUC.

Caution!

No member may claim more than one PUC, MUC, or NUC for a given time period.

For example, if you claim a PUC for service with Echo Company for the period 6 June 1966 through 15 September 1967, you cannot claim the PUC due to 2nd Bn., 1st Marines for service from 10 October 1966 through 15 September 1967 or the PUC due for service with 1st Marine Division from 29 March 1966 through 15 September 1967. These award dates overlap and you may claim only one!

Combat Action Ribbon

Specific rules of eligibility apply to this ribbon. One does not rate it for just being in a combat zone or drawing combat pay. To proudly wear this ribbon, you must have received and returned fire from an enemy force. A firefight, of course, qualifies one for this ribbon. However, other events such as being on the receiving end of rocket or mortar fire does not. As always, being able to document qualifying events assures this ribbon award is placed in your record.

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal shall not be awarded for any operation for which any other US campaign medals have been specifically authorized. They have not been issued for service in Vietnam after 3 July 1965. Brothers who have earned this medal for service in Vietnam from the period 1 July 1958 through 3 July 1965 may elect to receive the Vietnam Service Medal in lieu of the AEF

Vietnam Campaign Medal

No individual is entitled to both the AEF and the Vietnam Service Medal for service in Vietnam.

If you served with 2nd Bn., 1st Reg., 1st MarDiv between 4 July 1965 and 28 March 1973, you no doubt qualify for the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

However, a bronze star, 3/16" in diameter is authorized to be worn on the suspension bar of the medal if you served during one of the following:

Vietnam Advisory Campaign..............15 March 1962 to 7 march 1965
Vietnam Defense Campaign...............8 March 1965 to 24 December 1965
Viet Counteroffensive Campaign........25 December 1965 to 30 June 1966
Viet Counteroffensive Phase 2...........1 July 1966 to 31 May 1967
Viet Counteroffensive Phase 3...........1 June 1967 to 29 January 1968
Tet Counteroffensive.....................30 January 1968 to 1 April 1968
Viet Counteroffensive Phase 4...........2 April 1968 to 30 June 1968
Viet Counteroffensive Phase 5...........1 July 1968 to 1 November 1968
Viet Counteroffensive Phase 6...........2 November 1968 to 22 February 1969
Tet '69 Counteroffensive...............23 February 1969 to 8 June 1969
Vietnam Summer/Fall 1969................9 Jun 1969 to 31 October 1969
Vietnam Winter/Spring 1970..............1 November 1969 to 30 April 1970
Sanctuary Counteroffensive..............1 May 1970 to 30 June 1970
Viet Counteroffensive Phase 7...........1 July 1970 to 30 June 1971
Consolidation 1.........................1 July 1971 to 30 November 1971
Consolidation 2.........................1 December 1971 to 29 March 1972
Vietnam Ceasefire Campaign.............30 March 1972 to 28 January 1973

Foreign Unit Awards

Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry

All Armed Forces personnel assigned to the 1st Marine Division between the dates of 8 February 1962 and 28 March 1973 are authorized to wear the Republic Of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Commendation Gallantry Cross With Palm And Frame.

Republic of Viet Nam Meritorious Unit Citation

All Armed Forces personnel assigned to the 1st Marine Division between the dates of 1 April 1966 to 20 April 1970 are eligible for the Republic Of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Commendation Civil Action Cross With Palm And Frame. (no picture available)

Sources cited for the medals and awards listed above are: MCOP1650.27G under pages 3E7, 7C3, and 7C4. Also Department of the Navy, SECNAV INSTRUCTION 1650.1E, pages 2-12, 4-26 to 4-33, and 7-10 to 7-16.

Everyone knows what these medals are and no explanation is required as to how they are earned.

Bravery, valor, and wounds sustained in combat will put these medals on your chest to show the world what kind of Marine you were when the going got tough.

But sometimes military awards bring civilian rewards. All members should check it out with your respective local, city, or state governments. This can translate to real dollars in your pocket. For example, I have a Purple Heart, for action on Operation Harvest Moon. In my state (Massachusetts) I am entitled to Purple Heart automobile plates each time I register my vehicle. These are considered vanity plates and they cost $75.00 each time you re-register. Though one of many types of vanity plates that the state offers, my Purple Heart plates are free. I save $75.00 every time I register my vehicle.
Also, in my town of Westford, Massachusetts, my Purple Heart entitles me to $175.00 per year abated from my property tax bill. This money comes right off the amount I owe in property tax, not a deduction from my assessed property valuation. This results in a pure savings to me of $175 per year. Though I'm not certain of it, I believe the Silver Star and the Bronze Star can garner even more savings in taxes in my state. I know that mine isn't the only state in the Union that loves its veterans. Most states (probably all) must offer some kind of monetary benefits for medals you may have won in Vietnam.

The point is this, Gentlemen and/or ladies, if you don't think you are getting all the benefits that accrue to you for the medals you earned, check it out. It can only cost a phone call and may save you some money.

Update!!

There is a link where members can get information on how to obtain replacement medals. Documentation is required but assumed to be covered in most cases with a copy of your DD214. Check out the rest of this page for other interesting Marine Corp data, including the most current pay scales for all grades of military.

Thanks to Harry Morris for this info!

http://www.usmc.mil/usmcfaq/210a.htm