How it is awarded
Defence personnel who qualify for the Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal can apply through the Directorate of Honours and Awards at the Department of Defence.
The application form is available from the Department of Defence website. To access the Alternate Application Process, please call 1800 333 362.
The qualifying criteria for the medal include:
- Service of one day or more as a member or crew of a ship or aircraft operating in the prescribed area of operations of Vietnam in support of Australian forces.
- Service of one day or more within the prescribed area of operations of Vietnam while attached to a unit or organisation in support of Australian forces.
- Service of one day or more while attached to, or serving with, a unit of the Australian armed forces or allied forces, as an observer.
Groups meeting the criteria for this award also include certain defence personnel in support roles, entertainers, journalists, civilian surgical and medical teams, QANTAS aircrew and embassy couriers. Applications are processed by different agencies depending on the kind of service the applicant gave.
- Defence support personnel, entertainers, journalists and civilian surgical and medical teams
- contact the Directorate of Honours and Awards, Department of Defence (freecall 1800 111 321) - QANTAS aircrew
- contact QANTAS - Embassy couriers
- contact Protocol Branch, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (phone 6261 1111)
There is no post-nominal entitlement for this medal.
Persons who hold the Vietnam Medal are ineligible to receive the Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal.
History
The Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal was established by Letters Patent on 24 February 1993.
It was created to provide recognition to the men and women who played a vital support role during the Vietnam War but did not qualify for the Vietnam Medal.
Medal design
The Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal is a circular medal made of nickel-silver. The obverse bears the crowned effigy of The Queen with the inscription 'Elizabeth II Dei Gratia Regina F.D.'
The reverse of the medal has the word ' Vietnam' at the top centre above a depiction of a man standing between two symbolic spheres.
Medal ribbon
The medal ribbon has three red stripes on a yellow centre. The ribbon also has a blue stripe to represent the Navy, a red stripe for the Army and a light blue stripe for the Air Force. The ribbon also has a brown stripe for the colour of the earth and waterways of Vietnam.