PRESS RELEASE

Riverton RSL recognises Vietnamese Vets at Annual Dinner

Throughout the course of the War, The Government of the Republic of Vietnam went to great lengths to ensure the armed forces of their allies - , USA, , , the Philippines and Spain – were all awarded the Vietnam Campaign Medal. Many members of the Riverton RSL Sub-branch proudly wear that medal today, however the government of the Republic of Vietnam wasn’t able to ensure their own armed forces were recognised.

As the communist regime took over the country, the government of the Republic of Vietnam ceased to exist.

The communist government certainly wasn’t going to recognise the forces of the Republic in any way and in fact went to great lengths to punish those who had fought against them.

Thus, very few veterans from the armed forces of the Republic of Vietnam were issued with the campaign medal they had so rightfully earned.

Thanks to the ingenuity and generosity of Michael Wass from Heritage Medals, we are able to change that.

Six years ago, at the Riverton RSL Sub-branch, as a token of our immense respect and appreciation, we gifted war veterans of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Association the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

At that time, we did not have a complete list of association veterans, but continue to, on an annual basis, recognise those veterans that we weren’t able to recognise earlier.

At the Vietnam Veterans Dinner being held at the Riverton RSL Sub-branch on the 14th August 2021 we will recognise a further ten Veterans –

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The Vietnam Campaign Medal is a military campaign medal awarded by the Republic of Vietnam. It is sometimes erroneously called the Vietnam Star.

Established in 1964, it was awarded to members of the republic of Vietnam Military Forces for direct participation in major military operations. The medal was also awarded to foreign military personnel for service in Vietnam.

The medal was awarded for two different periods of service. The first period was from 8 March 1949 to 20 July 1954. The second period was from 1 January 1960 to a date to be determined. The Government of ceased to exist before an ending period was

The medal is awarded to military personnel, both Vietnamese and foreign, who have directly participated in, “a large scale military campaign during certain periods of time”.

Awarded in a single class, the medal was awarded under the authority of the Chief of the Joint General Staff, Republic of Viet Nam Armed Forces

On Saturday night the Riverton Sub-branch will have Club President and Anzac of the Year Bill Collidge, City of Canning Mayor Patrick Hall and Councillor Amanda Spencer-Teo present the medal to six Veterans, and trust it will go a little way towards recognising the courage, commitment and tenacity in the fight for democracy and freedom during the war in Vietnam.

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