The Army Distinguished Service Order (), Air Force Distinguished Service Order (), and Navy Distinguished Service Order () was a military decoration of
South Vietnam
South Vietnam, officially the Republic of Vietnam (RVN; , VNCH), was a country in Southeast Asia that existed from 1955 to 1975. It first garnered Diplomatic recognition, international recognition in 1949 as the State of Vietnam within the ...
which was awarded throughout the years of the
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War (1 November 1955 – 30 April 1975) was an armed conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia fought between North Vietnam (Democratic Republic of Vietnam) and South Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam) and their allies. North Vietnam w ...
. The decoration was bestowed for meritorious or heroic deeds related to wartime operations and was awarded for both combat and non-combat service.
There were two classes of the Army/Air Force/Navy Distinguished Service Order, the first class being for officers and the second class for enlisted personnel. The first class of the order was differentiated by a blossom device centered on the medal and ribbon.
The Army/Air Force/Navy Distinguished Service Order was also provided to foreign militaries, and in the
United States military
The United States Armed Forces are the Military, military forces of the United States. U.S. United States Code, federal law names six armed forces: the United States Army, Army, United States Marine Corps, Marine Corps, United States Navy, Na ...
the decoration was considered the equivalent of the
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a Awards and decorations of the United States military, military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievemen ...
. For foreign officers, the 2nd class of the order was also provided to officers.
The decoration ranked immediately below the
National Order of the Republic of Vietnam and the
Republic of Vietnam Military Merit Medal. It was among the less commonly bestowed medals, in contrast to such decorations as the
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross
The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross also known as the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross or Vietnam Cross of Gallantry () is a military decoration of the former Government of South Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam). The medal was created on August 15, 1 ...
and
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, also known as the Vietnam Campaign Medal (), is a South Vietnamese military campaign medal which was created in 1949 and awarded during the First Indochina War. During the Vietnam War (Second Indochina War ...
.
The last issuance of the Vietnam Distinguished Service Order was in 1974, before the
Fall of Saigon
The fall of Saigon, known in Vietnam as Reunification Day (), was the capture of Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, by North Vietnam on 30 April 1975. As part of the 1975 spring offensive, this decisive event led to the collapse of the So ...
.
Criteria
The Army/Air Force/Navy Distinguished Service Order is awarded or posthumously awarded to RVN Army/Air Force/Navy Officers who meet one of the following requirements:
*Have been cited or wounded many times in combat or in line of duty.
*Have accomplished exceptionally important achievements that reflect great credit on, or is beneficial to the RVN Army/Air Force/Navy in any field.
The Army/Air Force/Navy Distinguished Service Order is also intended for Army/Air Force/Navy units and General Officers in other armed services, who have accomplished an achievement that is exceptionally important and beneficial to the Republic of Vietnam Army/Air Force/Navy.
See also
*
Orders, decorations, and medals of South Vietnam
References
External links
Military Orders, Decorations, and Medals of the Republic of Vietnam{{ARVN
Military awards and decorations of Vietnam