badbob
09-17-02, 01:22 AM
I have a friend, a non Marine friend (not everybody's perfect), who recently ask me about my ribbon rack on display over my mantle.
So for all you Poggy’s and Wana-be’s out there who may be wondering, I’m going to take a moment and explain my ribbons and combat awards.
Let’s start with the lesser and work our way to the top;
the one on the bottom right – that’s the U.S. Vietnam Campaign Medal The next one is the Vietnamese Civil Action Medal and the one next to it is the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.
On the next row up, far right we have the Vietnamese Presidential Citation then the Marine Security Guard Ribbon, which was actually 1st, issued to me as a Navy Marine Security Guard Ribbon and replaced in 1979 by the new ribbon. Next we have the Vietnam Service Ribbon with 3 bronze stars, each star represents a specific period of service in Vietnam.
On the next row up far right is the National Defense Ribbon; this was issued to anyone serving in the armed forces during a stipulated period of service usually coinciding with a period of heavy action. Next is the FMF Fleet Marine Force Ribbon, Next is the Marine Expeditionary Ribbon which was replaced with the Vietnam Service Ribbon for Vietnam Service, just 3 days after I hit the beach in Vietnam.
On the next row up far right is the Navy Meritorious Unit Citation awarded to the 9th Marines for service in Vietnam on 08/17/1965. Next is the Navy Unit Commendation Medal with 1 star, one awarded to Golf 2/9 members on 09/13/1965 and one awarded to Lima 3/3 members for operation Harvest Moon on 9 Dec 1965. Next is the Presidential Unit Citation with 2 stars, one awarded to Golf 2/6 members on 28-30 August 1965 and one awarded to Lima 3/3 members on 20-24 April 1966.
This top row contains all personal awards;
Far right is the Combat Action Ribbon with 1 star. One awarded for action with golf 2/9 and one for action with Lima 3/3 (I believe that I deserve 4 more stars and have partitioned HQ for an update).
Next is the Purple Heart with 2 stars making me a 3 time WIA.
Last but not least is the Bronze Star with Combat “V” device. The “V” device designates that the award was issued for Valor under enemy fire.
So what does all this add up to?
I saw a ton of action during a period in time when most of the written history suggests that times in Vietnam were relatively quiet with the exception of Op Starlite in August 65.
The Combat Action Ribbon shows that I have clearly been shot at on at least two occasions.
The Purple Hearts indicate that I was wounded in action on at least 3 occasions.
The Bronze Star with V device indicates that on at least one occasion while under fire, I was the only one in my unit that knew I was sacred SH!TLESS.
The PUC indicated that President Johnson was pleased that we didn’t kill any civilians.
The two Navy awards show that the Navy appreciated my service in Nam and that we didn’t kill any civilians.
The two Marine awards are Marine awards showing the Corps appreciation for our service and that we didn’t kill any civilians.
The National Defense Ribbon was issued to all branches of service upon successful completion of Recruit Training, but was really only issued so you would have something to hold up your shooting badge.
The Vietnam Service Ribbon speaks for itself.
The three Vietnamese medals show that the S. Vietnam government was real happy that I didn’t kill any civilians, or at least not any that didn’t need killing.
Semper Fi
Bob
So for all you Poggy’s and Wana-be’s out there who may be wondering, I’m going to take a moment and explain my ribbons and combat awards.
Let’s start with the lesser and work our way to the top;
the one on the bottom right – that’s the U.S. Vietnam Campaign Medal The next one is the Vietnamese Civil Action Medal and the one next to it is the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.
On the next row up, far right we have the Vietnamese Presidential Citation then the Marine Security Guard Ribbon, which was actually 1st, issued to me as a Navy Marine Security Guard Ribbon and replaced in 1979 by the new ribbon. Next we have the Vietnam Service Ribbon with 3 bronze stars, each star represents a specific period of service in Vietnam.
On the next row up far right is the National Defense Ribbon; this was issued to anyone serving in the armed forces during a stipulated period of service usually coinciding with a period of heavy action. Next is the FMF Fleet Marine Force Ribbon, Next is the Marine Expeditionary Ribbon which was replaced with the Vietnam Service Ribbon for Vietnam Service, just 3 days after I hit the beach in Vietnam.
On the next row up far right is the Navy Meritorious Unit Citation awarded to the 9th Marines for service in Vietnam on 08/17/1965. Next is the Navy Unit Commendation Medal with 1 star, one awarded to Golf 2/9 members on 09/13/1965 and one awarded to Lima 3/3 members for operation Harvest Moon on 9 Dec 1965. Next is the Presidential Unit Citation with 2 stars, one awarded to Golf 2/6 members on 28-30 August 1965 and one awarded to Lima 3/3 members on 20-24 April 1966.
This top row contains all personal awards;
Far right is the Combat Action Ribbon with 1 star. One awarded for action with golf 2/9 and one for action with Lima 3/3 (I believe that I deserve 4 more stars and have partitioned HQ for an update).
Next is the Purple Heart with 2 stars making me a 3 time WIA.
Last but not least is the Bronze Star with Combat “V” device. The “V” device designates that the award was issued for Valor under enemy fire.
So what does all this add up to?
I saw a ton of action during a period in time when most of the written history suggests that times in Vietnam were relatively quiet with the exception of Op Starlite in August 65.
The Combat Action Ribbon shows that I have clearly been shot at on at least two occasions.
The Purple Hearts indicate that I was wounded in action on at least 3 occasions.
The Bronze Star with V device indicates that on at least one occasion while under fire, I was the only one in my unit that knew I was sacred SH!TLESS.
The PUC indicated that President Johnson was pleased that we didn’t kill any civilians.
The two Navy awards show that the Navy appreciated my service in Nam and that we didn’t kill any civilians.
The two Marine awards are Marine awards showing the Corps appreciation for our service and that we didn’t kill any civilians.
The National Defense Ribbon was issued to all branches of service upon successful completion of Recruit Training, but was really only issued so you would have something to hold up your shooting badge.
The Vietnam Service Ribbon speaks for itself.
The three Vietnamese medals show that the S. Vietnam government was real happy that I didn’t kill any civilians, or at least not any that didn’t need killing.
Semper Fi
Bob