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Information for Vietnam Veterans Who Received the Armed Forces
Expeditionary Medal (Viet Nam)
Why the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Viet Nam) is
Equivalent to the Vietnam Service Medal
The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of
the United States serving in Vietnam and contiguous waters or air space
after July 3, 1965 and before March 28, 1973. The eligibility requirements
are:
(a) Attached to or regularly serving for one or more days with an
organization participating in or directly supporting ground (military)
operations.
(b) Attached to or regularly serving for one or more days aboard a naval
vessel directly supporting military operations.
(c) Actually participate as a crew member in one or more aerial flights
directly supporting military operations.
(d) Serve on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive
days. These time limitations may be waived for personnel participating in
actual combat operations.
Department of Defense Manual of Military Decorations and Awards (DoD
1348.33-M), September 1996, at C6.6, pages 50-52. See United States v.
Verdine, 41 C.M.R. 584, 586 (1969) (U.S. Army Court of Military Review
takes judicial notice of criteria for award of Vietnam Service Medal).
It is clear that the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) for Viet Nam,
is an equivalent award to the Vietnam Service Medal. The AFEM for Viet Nam
was awarded as a result of a veteran’s Vietnam service before the Vietnam
Service Medal was authorized (the beginning date for receipt of the
Vietnam Service Medal is July 3, 1965). The interchangeable nature of the
AFEM for Viet Nam and the Vietnam Service Medal is demonstrated in the
Department of Defense’s Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, which
states that those who received the AFEM for Vietnam service could not also
be issued the Vietnam Service Medal. In addition, service members could
elect to receive the Vietnam Service Medal instead of the AFEM. The
Department of Defense’s manual states:
C6.5.1.6. Election of the AFEM or Vietnam Service Medal. Service members
who earned the AFEM for service in Vietnam between July 1, 1958 and July
3, 1965, may elect to receive the Vietnam Service Medal instead of the
AFEM. However, no Service member may be issued both medals for service in
Vietnam.
Department of Defense Manual of Military Decorations and Awards (DoD
1348.33-M), September 1996, at C6.5.1.6., page 50.
Accordingly, in view of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
decision in Haas v. Nicholson, the receipt of the equivalent award to the
Vietnam Service Medal should entitle a veteran to the presumption of
service in Vietnam.
Replacing the AFEM (Viet Nam) with the VSM
In the event that the VA does not accept that the AFEM (Viet Nam) entitles
a veteran to the presumption of service in Vietnam, veterans should
attempt to have their AFEM (Viet Nam) changed to a VSM. Please note that
the M21-1 provision upheld in Haas does not require receipt of the VSM to
qualify for the presumption of Vietnam service, since the M21-1 mandates
that the VA Regional Office go to the Navy to verify offshore service if
the veteran was not awarded the VSM.
Advocates can request the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) replace
their client’s AFEM with the VSM. The request can be made “online” using
the eVetRecs system, or a Standard Form 180 can be mailed to the NPRC. The
following section of the NPRC website provides more details, including
where to send the request and what information to include in the request:
http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/public/awards-and-decorations.html
Advocates should be aware that it is not guaranteed that the NPRC or
military will replace the AFEM (Viet Nam) with the VSM.
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