According to the Department of the Army General Order (DA GO) 8 1974 the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm was awarded to Headquarters U. S. Military Assistance Command (MACV) and all its subordinate units during the period 8 FEB 1962 to 28 MAR 1973. All military personnel who were assigned to units serving in-country Vietnam during this period were considered assigned to MACV and its subordinate units, regardless of service or component. Under DA GO 43 1970 the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry was awarded to all military personnel of all branches who served in-country Vietnam between 1 MAR 1961 and 28 MAR 1973 and to U.S. Army Vietnam and its subordinate units for the period 20 JUL 1965 to 28 MAR 1973. Both of these DAGO's should be listed in Army Pamphlet 672-3 which contains all units specifically cited and is the guideline used by NPRC for making corrections to DD-214s. This is a foreign award that was issued by the Army of South Vietnam. It is the Vietnamese equivalent of the French Croix de Guerre. When awarded to individual U.S. military personnel it was awarded with Silver Star (the equivalent to the US Army Silver Star) or with Bronze Star (equivalent to the US Bronze Star). When awarded to units it was always with Gold Palm. As with U.S. unit awards all personnel in the unit during the period of action for which the award is given may wear the award at all times. Individuals not in the unit during the designated period can wear the award only while assigned to the unit. If you never received a medal, ribbon, or certificate it cannot be re-issued by NPRC since this is a foreign award. However, amended discharge papers (DD-215) can be issued if the citation is not listed on your DD-214. If you do not have a copy of your discharge form, or you feel your discharge form does not accurately list all the medals you received, you need to request a copy or review of your military records. Requests for the issuance or replacement of military service medals, decorations, and awards should be directed to the specific branch of the military in which the veteran served. However, for Air Force (including Army Air Corps) and Army personnel, the National Personnel Records Center will verify the awards to which a veteran is entitled and forward the request with the verification to the appropriate service department for issuance of the medals. The eVetRecs is preferred for requesting medals and awards. Provide as much information as possible in the comments field. Should you prefer to submit your request using an SF180 then provide as much information as possible and send the form to the appropriate address from the following tables: Upon receipt NPRC will access the appropriate records and process your request. I mailed my SF 180 and a copy of my DD-214 to the National Personnel Records Center and asked them to confirm my eligibility to wear the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and any additional unit or individual awards and decorations not reflected on my DD Form 214. I wrote that I had been assigned to the 460th TRW - FMS at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Saigon Viet Nam from 9/20/67 through 9/15/68. They processed my request and sent it on to the AFPC who are responsible for the Air Force Awards and Decorations Program. The AFPC replied that I was in fact entitled to wear the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm along with the Presidential Unit Citation and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with V for Valor. They amended my DD-214 discharge papers with a DD-215 and they sent me replacement awards free of charge. Veterans should expect to wait at least four to six months for a response. Good Luck. 460th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing Decorations: Presidential Unit Citation: 18 Feb 1966 - 30 Jun 1967; 1 Sep 1967 - 10 Jul 1968; 11 Jul 1968 - 31 Aug 1969; l Feb-31 Mar 1971. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device: 1 Jul 1969 - 30 Jun 1970; 1 Jul 1970 - 30 Jun 1971. Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm: 1 Apr 1966 - 31 Aug 1971.
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