The Combat Action Ribbon is awarded principally to U.S. Navy and Marine Corps service members in any grade including and below that of a Captain in the Navy (or Colonel in the Marine Corps) who have actively participated in bona-fide ground or naval surface combat with hostile enemy forces. Such performance under enemy fire must be deemed "honorable and satisfactory" which excludes the award to those who show cowardice in the face of an enemy or retreat without cause. U.S. Army personnel who earned the Combat Infantryman Badge or Combat Medical Badge while a member of the Army may be authorized to wear the Combat Action Ribbon upon application to the Department of the Navy. The Combat Action Ribbon is also awarded to members of the United States Coast Guard when operating under the control of the Navy. The Combat Action Ribbon was first created in February 1969 with retroactive presentation to March 1, 1961. On October 5, 1999, by Presidential Order of Bill Clinton, the retroactive effective date of the Combat Action Ribbon was changed to December 7, 1941, which was the entry date of the United States of America into the Second World War. Additional decorations of the Combat Action Ribbon are denoted by gold and silver award stars. 

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The Joint Meritorious Unit Award is the only ribbon award granted by the Department of Defense and is the organizational equivalent of the Defense Superior Service Medal. It is awarded to joint units or activities where the joint activity must either report through Unified, Combined, or Specified Command channels or pursue a joint mission under the cognizance of the Secretary of Defense; the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; the commander of a Unified, Specified or Combined Command that is also a joint command; or the Secretary of a military department that has been designated the Executive Agent for the Secretary of Defense. It is awarded for actions for combat with an armed enemy of the United States, during a declared national emergency or under extraordinary circumstances that involve national interests. The Joint Meritorious Unit Award was established on June 4, 1981, by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger and was implemented by Department of Defense Directive 1348.27 dated July 22, 1982. The Joint Meritorious Unit Award was made retroactive to January 23, 1979. The first organization to receive the Joint Meritorious Unit Award was the “Electronic Warfare During Close Air Support Joint Test Force” and was awarded the decoration on September 30, 1982. Subsequent decorations of the Joint Meritorious Unit Award are annotated with oak leaf clusters.

The Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon is awarded by the Secretary to any ship, aircraft, detachment, or other unit of the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps which has, since December 6, 1941 (one day prior to the Japanese attack on the U.S. forces at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii) distinguished itself in action against the enemy with outstanding heroism not sufficient to justify award of the Navy Presidential Unit Citation. To justify this award, the unit must have performed service of a character comparable to that which would merit the award of a Silver Star Medal, or achievement of like caliber in a non-combat situation, to an individual. It is also awarded for non-combat service, in support of military operations, which was outstanding when compared to other units or organizations performing similar service. The Navy Unit Commendation was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on December 18, 1944.

The Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon is awarded in the name of the Secretary of the Navy to units of both the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps displaying exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions when compared to other units performing similar service, but not sufficient to justify award of the Navy Unit Commendation. Awarded for combat or non-combat services. The mid-level award ranks below the Navy Unit Commendation. The award was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy on July 17, 1967. To justify this award, the unit must have performed service of a character comparable to that which would merit the award of a Bronze Star Medal, or achievement of like caliber in a non-combat situation, to an individual. Additional awards are denoted by bronze and silver service stars.

The Navy “E” Ribbon denotes permanent duty on U.S. Navy ships or in squadrons that have won a “battle efficiency competition” (often referred to as the "Battle E") after July 1, 1974. This ribbon replaces the "E" patch formerly sewn on the right sleeve of the uniform. For each award of the Navy "E" Ribbon, one Battle E Device (otherwise known as a Silver Letter E Device) is authorized for wear on the Navy "E" ribbon, up to the third award. For example, for the first award the ribbon would have one Silver Letter E Device affixed to it. For the second award, the ribbon would have two Silver Letter E Devices affixed to it. For the third award, the ribbon would have three Silver Letter E Devices affixed. For the fourth and all subsequent awards, the three Silver Letter E Devices would be replaced with just a single "Silver Wreathed E Device," with no other devices added to the ribbon. The ribbon, itself, is also commonly referred to as the "Battle E.” The U.S. Coast Guard equivalent of the Navy "E" Ribbon is the Coast Guard "E" Ribbon. The Navy "E" Ribbon was established in July of 1976 by then Secretary of the Navy J. William Middendorf. For each award of the Navy "E" Ribbon, one Battle E device is authorized for wear on the Navy "E" ribbon, up to the third award. For the fourth and all subsequent awards, the E with wreath device is worn, with no further devices added to the ribbon. The ribbon, itself, is also commonly referred to as the "Battle E."

          (Although SECNAV information sheets indicate only one "E" for Hassayampa, this webmaster has been informed
          by former Hassayampa crew members that Hassayampa has received a total of four.)

The Navy Expeditionary Medal is awarded to any Navy personnel who have operated in foreign territory to engage in operations, both combat and non-combat, for which no other campaign medal has been awarded. The Navy Expeditionary Medal is retroactively authorized to February 12, 1874. The medal is one of the few Navy awards which is not bestowed to the United States Marine Corps, as Marine Corps personnel are eligible for the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal. In addition, since 1961, some Navy commands permit service members to choose between the Navy Expeditionary Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for participation in certain operations. Both awards may not be bestowed simultaneously for the same action. Additional awards of the Navy Expeditionary Medal are denoted by service stars. The Wake Island Device is authorized for those service members who were awarded the Navy Expeditionary Medal through the defense of Wake Island. Attachments: Bronze Star Device, Silver Star Device.

The National Defense Service Medal is awarded to anyone who serves on active duty in the United States military during a designated time period. In the fifty years since the creation of the National Defense Service Medal, originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953, it has been authorized for the following time periods; June 27, 1950 to July 27, 1954 for service during the Korean War; January 1, 1961 to August 14, 1974 for service during the Vietnam War; August 2, 1990 to November 30, 1995 for service during the Gulf War; September 11, 2001 to a date yet-to-be-determined for service during the War on Terrorism. For service in the Gulf War and War on Terrorism, it is also authorized for members of the military reserve provided they are a “military reservist in good standing.” The National Defense Service Medal is further authorized to students at the service academies, but is not granted to discharged or retired veterans who did not serve in one of the above time periods. The decoration is also not authorized to members of the inactive reserve. The award was intended to be a “blanket campaign medal” issued to any member of the United States military who served in a designated time period of which a “national emergency” had been declared. As of 2005, it is the oldest service medal which is still issued to the active military. Additional awards are denoted by service stars.

The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is awarded for participation in "any military campaign of the United States for which no other service medal is authorized." The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal was authorized on December 4, 1961, and awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, after July 1, 1958 participated in US military operations, US operations in direct support of the United Nations, or US operations of assistance for friendly or foreign nations or in danger from hostile actions. These actions include the Cuban Missile Crisis between October 1962 and June 1963, actions in Lebanon, Taiwan, the Congo, Quemoy and Matsu, and for duty in Berlin between 1961 and 1963, initial operations in South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, Panama, Grenada, Libya, Operation Earnest Will, peacekeeping and sanction missions against Iraq, Operation Northern Watch, Operation Southern Watch, Operation Vigilant Sentinel, and United Nations actions, including Bosnia and Somalia. Additional awards of the medal are denoted by service stars, with the arrowhead device also authorized for United States Army personnel who are awarded the decoration through participation in an airborne or amphibious assault. The Fleet Marine Force combat operation insignia is also authorized for certain sailors. Attachments: Bronze Star Device, Silver Star Device, Bronze Arrowhead Device – Mounted

A complete listing of approved operations for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is as follows:

Quemoy and Matsu Islands 23 August 1956 - 1 June 1963 
Lebanon 1 July 1958 - 1 November 1958 
Taiwan Straits 23 August 1958 - 1 January 1959 
Vietnam (General Service) 1 July 1958 - 3 July 1965 
Congo 14 July 1960 - 1 September 1962 
Laos 19 April 1961 - 7 October 1962 
Berlin 14 August 1961 - 1 June 1963 
Cuba 24 October 1962 - 1 June 1963 
Congo 23 November 1964 to 27 November 1964 
Dominican Republic 28 April 1965 - 21 September 1966 
Korea 1 October 1966 - 30 June 1974; also eligible for the Korean Defense Service
     Medal for same timeframe as a DOD exception to policy
Cambodia 29 March 1973 - 15 August 1973 (Vietnam Support Operations) 
Cambodia (Evacuation-Operation Eagle Pull) 11 April 1975 - 13 April 1975 
Thailand (Cambodia Support Operations) 29 March 1973 - 15 August 1973 
Vietnam (Evacuation: Operation Frequent Wind) 29 April 1975 - 30 April 1975 
Mayagüez Operation 15 May 1975 
El Salvador 1 January 1981 - 1 February 1992 
Lebanon 1 June 1983 - 1 December 1987 
Grenada (Operation Urgent Fury) 23 October 1983 - 21 November 1983 
Libya (Operation El Dorado Canyon) 12 April 1986 - 17 April 1986 
Persian Gulf (Operation Earnest Will) 24 July 1987 - 1 August 1990 
Panama (Operation Just Cause) 20 December 1989 - 31 January 1990

The Vietnam Service Medal is awarded to any service member who served more than thirty consecutive days, or 60 non-consecutive days, in the Republic of Vietnam between the dates of November 15, 1961 and March 3, 1973 and from April 29, 1975 to April 30, 1975. For those service members who supported Vietnam operations from another country (such as Thailand), the Vietnam Service Medal may be authorized if such activity was in direct support of Vietnam combat operations and if such combat support exceeded 30–60 days. For the United States Navy, vessels operating in Vietnamese waters qualify for the Vietnam Service Medal provided that the naval vessel was engaged in direct support of Vietnam combat operations. The U.S. Air Force also grants the Vietnam Service Medal for 30–60 days of flight missions in Vietnamese air space, even if the home base of the flight mission was not within the Republic of Vietnam. Attachments: Bronze Star Device, Silver Star Device, Bronze Arrowhead Device. The Vietnam Service Medal is a military award which was created in 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The medal is issued to recognize military service during the Vietnam War and is authorized to service members in every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces provided they meet qualification criteria which is DoD 1348 a department of Defense regulation.

The Vietnam Service Medal is presented to any service member who served on temporary duty for more than thirty consecutive days, or 60 non-consecutive days, attached to or regularly serving for one, or more, days with an organization participating in or directly supporting ground (military) operations or attached to or regularly serving for one, or more, days aboard a naval vessel directly supporting military operations in the Republic of Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos within the defined combat zone (DoD 1348 C6.6.1.1.5. revised sept. 1996) between the dates of 1961-11-15 and 1973-03-28, and from 29 April 1975 to 30 April 1975.


The Department of Defense established thirty military campaigns during the Vietnam War. For those service members participating in one or more campaigns, a service star is required on the Vietnam Service Medal. Silver service stars are issued in lieu of five bronze. Some campaigns apply to all of the military services while others are specific to a particular branch of the U.S. Armed Forces (the United States Marine Corps is considered part of the Navy and is eligible only for Navy campaigns). The exception to this rule is Operation Frequent Wind. The arrowhead device is authorized for campaign participation which involved an aerial or amphibious assault. The Fleet Marine Force combat operation insignia is also authorized for certain sailors. The following are the established combat campaigns authorized for service stars to the Vietnam Service Medal.

Vietnam Initial Advisory Campaign (USAF): from 1961-11-15 to 1965-03-01
Vietnam Advisory Campaign (Army, Navy, USCG): from 1962-03-15 to 1965-03-07
** Vietnam Defense Campaign (Army, Navy USCG): from 1965-03-08 to 1965-12-24
Vietnam Air Defensive Campaign (USAF): from 1965-03-02 to 1966-01-30
** Vietnam Counteroffensive (Army, Navy, USCG): from 1965-12-25 to 1966-06-30
Vietnam Air Counteroffensive (USAF): from 1966-01-31 to 1966-06-28
Vietnam Air Offensive (USAF): from 1966-06-29 to 1967-03-08
** Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase II (Army, Navy, USCG): from 1966-07-01 to 1967-05-31
Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase II (USAF): from 1967-03-09 to 1968-03-31
** Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase III (Army, Navy, USCG): from 1967-06-01 to 1968-01-29
Vietnam Air/Ground Campaign (USAF): from 1968-01-22 to 1968-07-07
** Tet Counteroffensive (Army, USAF, Navy, USCG): from 1968-01-30 to 1968-04-01
Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase III (USAF): from 1968-04-01 to 1968-10-31
** Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase IV (Army, Navy, USCG): from 1968-04-02 to 1968-06-30
** Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase V (Army, Navy, USCG): from 1968-07-01 to 1968-11-01
Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase IV (USAF): from 1968-11-01 to 1969-02-22
Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase VI (Army, Navy, USCG): from 1968-11-02 to 1969-02-22
** Tet 1969 Counteroffensive (Army, Navy, USAF, USCG): from 1969-02-23 to 1969-06-08
Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969 (Army, Navy, USAF, USCG): from 1969-06-09 to 1969-10-31
** Vietnam Winter-Spring 1970 (Army, Navy, USAF, USCG): from 1969-11-01 to 1970-04-30
** Sanctuary Counteroffensive (Army, Navy, USAF, USCG): from 1970-05-01 to 1970-06-30
Counteroffensive, Phase VII Army -- 01 July 1970 - 30 Jun 1971
Southwest Monsoon (USAF): from 1970-07-01 to 1970-11-30
** Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase VII (Army, Navy, USCG): from 1970-07-01 to 1971-06-30
Commando Hunt V (USAF): from 1970-12-01 to 1971-05-14
Commando Hunt VI (USAF): from 1971-05-15 to 1971-10-31
** Consolidation I (Army, Navy, USCG): from 1971-07-01 to 1971-11-30
Commando Hunt VII (USAF): from 1971-11-01 to 1972-03-29
** Consolidation II (Army, Navy, USCG): from 1971-12-01 to 1972-03-29
** Vietnam Cease Fire (Army, Navy, USAF, USCG): from 1972-03-30 to 1973-03-28
Operation Frequent Wind (USMC, USAF, Navy): from 29 April 1975 to 30 April 1975

The United States Army, Air Force and Navy recognize 17 campaign stars (3 silver and 2 bronze service stars) on the Vietnam Service campaign streamer.

The Republic of Vietnam also issued its own version of the Vietnam Service Medal, known as the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. This is a separate decoration from the Vietnam Service Medal and is a foreign decoration which was accepted by congress and the U.S. military in accordance with DoD 1348 C7.1. The qualifications are the same.

USS Hassayampa (AO-145) facilitated in fourteen campaigns, as noted by the above ** signification,
thereby earning two silver stars and three bronze stars.

The Southwest Asia Service Medal is a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was created by order of President George H.W. Bush on March 12, 1991. The decoration is intended to recognize those military service members who performed duty during the years of the Persian Gulf War. The Southwest Asia Service Medal is awarded for military service between August 2, 1990 and November 30, 1995 for participation during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. To be awarded the decoration a service member must also have served in the geographical land areas of any of the following nations: Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and/or United Arab Emirates. Between January 17, 1991 and November 30, 1995, service members who performed duty "in support of" the Gulf War are eligible to receive the Southwest Asia Service Medal if duty was performed in either Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Syria, or Jordan. The Southwest Asia Service Medal is authorized four campaigns of service, each denoted by a service star awarded with the medal. Authorized campaigns include: Defense of Saudi Arabia: August 2, 1990 to January 16, 1991; Liberation and Defense of Kuwait: January 17 to April 11, 1991; Cease-Fire Campaign: April 12, 1991 to November 30, 1995; Operation Provide Comfort: June 1, 1992 to November 30, 1995. Attachments: Bronze Star Device.

The Southwest Asia Service Medal is authorized four campaigns of service, with a maximum of three service stars (or campaign stars) awarded with the medal. Each recipient of the medal should wear at least one campaign star.

The Korea Defense Service Medal is a United States military decoration that was first created in 2002 when it was signed into law by President George W. Bush. The bill to create the proposal was introduced and championed by Rep. Elton Gallegly and Sen. Ben "Night Horse" Campbell. The Korea Defense Service Medal is authorized for those members of the U.S. military who have served duty in the Republic of Korea to uphold the armistice between South and North Korea. To qualify for the Korea Defense Service Medal, a service member must have served at least thirty consecutive days in the Korean theater. The medal is also granted for 60 non-consecutive days of service which includes reservists on annual training in Korea. The Korea Defense Service Medal is retroactive to the end of the Korean War and is granted to any service performed after July 28, 1954. As an official Department of Defense exception to policy, service members may be entitled to both the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the Korea Defense Service Medal for participation in operations in Korea during the same timeframe between October 1, 1966-June 30, 1974. Only one award of the Korea Defense Service Medal is authorized, regardless of the amount of time served in the Korean theater. For service members who were awarded an Overseas Service Ribbon for Korean service, both decorations may be worn simultaneously.

The Humanitarian Service Medal is awarded to any member of the United States military (including Reserve and National Guard members) who distinguish themselves by meritorious participation in specified military acts or operations of a humanitarian nature. The medal is presented either as an individual decoration or as a decoration bestowed upon an entire military unit. The activities to which the Humanitarian Service Medal may be authorized are designated by the United States Department of Defense. Such activities include natural disaster relief, evacuation of non-combatants from a hostile area, or humanitarian support to refugees. The medal may not be awarded for services rendered in domestic disturbances involving law enforcement, equal rights demonstrations, or protection of property. The medal may also not be presented if either the Armed Forces Service Medal or Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal was presented for the same period service.

The Humanitarian Service Medal was authorized on January 19, 1977 by President Gerald Ford under Executive Order 11965, and is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, after April 1, 1975, distinguished themselves by meritorious direct participation in a significant military act or operation of humanitarian nature, or who have rendered a service to mankind. Such activities include natural disaster relief, evacuation of non-combatants from a hostile area, or humanitarian support to refugees, including rescue operations anywhere in the world. This medal may not be awarded for services rendered in domestic disturbances involving law enforcement, equal rights demonstrations, or protection of property. Multiple awards of the medal are authorized with service stars denoting additional decorations.

FOR SERVICE PERSONNEL ONLY

The Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon is awarded to any member of the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps assigned to a Naval Afloat Command and who performs 90 or more consecutive days of a seaward deployment within a one-year period. After 1999, for those service members stationed on U.S. vessels home-ported in foreign ports (such as Yokosuka, Japan), the Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon is also authorized for one year of foreign duty and may be awarded simultaneously with the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. The Sea Service Deployment Ribbon was established in May 1980 and retroactively authorized to August 1974.

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Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm

The Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Award is a military decoration of South Vietnam established in August 1950. Awarded to any U.S. military personnel who have accomplished deeds of valor or displayed heroic conduct while fighting an enemy force. The Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Award is issued as a unit award which is an entirely separate decoration from the full sized medal. Known as the "Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm," the unit citation award was created in 1968 and was issued as the Gallantry Cross ribbon, with a metal palm device, enclosed within a gold frame. The unit citation was issued in the name of South Vietnam to any military unit which distinguished itself to the same level as would be required for the individual award. Regulations for the issuance of the Vietnam Gallantry Cross permit the wearing of both the individual and unit award simultaneously, since they both are considered separate decorations. The Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm was issued to every Allied nation which provided military support to Vietnam between March 1, 1961 and the fall of Saigon in April 1975. The unit decoration thus became the most commonly awarded Vietnamese decoration to foreigners, second only to the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal is a military award of South Vietnam established in 1966, and is awarded to any member of the United States military who completed at least six months of duty in the Republic of Vietnam between the dates of March 1, 1961 and March 28, 1973. The decoration may also be awarded to any service member who, while serving outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam, provided direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces for a period exceeding six months. In such cases, a service member must have been awarded either the Vietnam Service Medal or the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (for service in a Vietnam campaign) to be eligible. For those U.S. service members who were wounded by an enemy force, captured by the enemy in the line of duty, or killed in action, the Vietnam Campaign Medal is automatically awarded regardless of total time served in Vietnam. The Vietnam Campaign Medal is issued with a device known as the “1960 Bar”. The bar displays the date of 1960 followed by a dash and a blank space.

The unusual appearance was caused by the government of the Republic of Vietnam stating that the 1960 bar would show the dates of the Vietnam War from start to finish, with the ending date placed on the 1960 bar after the South Vietnamese had triumphed over North Vietnam (the Democratic Republic of Vietnam). Since South Vietnam fell, and the government ceased to exist, an ending date for the 1960 Bar was never established.

The Vietnam Campaign Medal is considered a foreign award by the U.S., Australian and New Zealand governments. The U.S. equivalent award is known as the Vietnam Service Medal. The joint Australian and New Zealand campaign medal awarded for service in the Vietnam War is the Vietnam Medal.

Other frequently bestowed Vietnam awards include the Vietnam Civil Actions Medal and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross, both of which were awarded extensively to both Vietnamese military service members and to the members of foreign militaries.

The Saudi Arabia Medal for the Liberation of Kuwait is awarded to members of the Coalition Forces who participated in Operation Desert Storm and the liberation of Kuwait between the dates of January 17, 1991 and February 28, 1991. It is considered the rarer of the two versions of the medal, as it recognizes service in a relatively short period of time (only a few months) whereas the Kuwaiti version of the medal is granted for service over several years. For this reason, the Saudi Arabian Kuwait Liberation Medal is considered senior in precedence to the Kuwaiti version of the medal.

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Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

The Kuwait Medal for the Liberation of Kuwait is awarded to members of the Military Coalition who served in support of Operation Desert Shield or Desert Storm in one or more of the following areas between August 2, 1990 and August 31, 1993: Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, that portion of the Arabian Sea that lies north of 10 degrees North latitude and west of 68 degrees East longitude, as well as the total land areas of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

The Government of Kuwait offered the Kuwait Liberation Medal to members of the Armed Forces of the United States by letter dated 16 July 1994. The medal was accepted by Secretary of Defense William J. Perry per memorandum dated 16 March 1995..

To be eligible, a service member must have been: (1) attached to or regularly serving for one or more days with an organization participating in ground/shore (military) operations; (2) attached to or regularly serving for one or more days aboard a naval vessel directly supporting military operations; (3) actually participating as a crew member in one or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations in the areas designated above; (4) serving on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days. These time limitations may be waived for members participating in actual combat operations.