France French Vietnam Medal

[Obergefreiter]

This is for sale on eBay for about fifty bucks US. Is it genuine, and is the price about right?

[Paul L Murphy]

It looks like a recent strike, the original strikes from the 1950s are a darker bronze. $50 would be top price for an original piece, it is too high for this.

[Obergefreiter]

It looks like a recent strike, the original strikes from the 1950s are a darker bronze. $50 would be top price for an original piece, it is too high for this.

Thank you very much, Paul. You just saved me fifty bucks. NGL.:cheers:

[pinpon590]

Hi !

Here is an original one !

:cheers:

[Obergefreiter]

Hi !

Here is an original one !

Merci beaucoup. :cheers:

[Archer]

Is it genuine?

You can't ask that question about modern French medals.

The first Indo-China medals may have come out with a dull bronze finish, but you can step into the Monnaie de Paris this morning and buy a medal in shiny bright finish which is completely "genuine" for € 25 ... say US$ 35.

Whether you buy a dull bronze medal or a shiny bright one, you cannot guarantee it was ever worn by an Indo-China veteran. Simple as that. :lol:

[Obergefreiter]

Whether you buy a dull bronze medal or a shiny bright one, you cannot guarantee it was ever worn by an Indo-China veteran. Simple as that.

Unfortunatly, when you get right down to it, the same can be said about any number of medals from any number of countries. :unsure:

[TacHel]

Here's mine with a star for wound received.

BTW, it is the medal for Indochina... This included Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

[Paul R]

Is there an estimate of the number of men eligible to wear this?

[TacHel]

It was bestowed for 90 days service in theater between August 16, 1945 and August 11, 1954.

From what I found, French casualties were 103,200 dead, 114,000 wounded and 30,000 POWs. Since these numbers usually represent but a fraction of combatants, it should be a fairly high number. The medal wasn't limited to French troops, colonial and indigenous personnel also received it. Air force and naval personnel also received it when 90 non consecutive days in theater were met.