North Vietnamese Badges and Medals

[bmsm]

The Military Exploit Order comes in three classes and was awarded to individuals and units for outstanding performance during combat.

First and second class were awarded to smaller units and the third class to Battalion size and larger.

The order is made of aluminum, 1-3/4 in. point to point and total height is 4-1/4 in. The planchet is attached to the ribbon with a small gold wreath. "Order of Military Achievement" is inscribed on the obverse of the order.

The third class is shown.

Bob

Edited March 13, 2011 by bmsm

[Obergefreiter]

I guess I should have known better, but I just never even considered that the VC/NVA would have had any awards to speak of. Nice presentation, Bob.

[bmsm]

A commemorative badge for the founding of the Special Forces Sapper Branch - date of 19-3-1967.

Planchet is 1-3/8 in. from point to point.

Bob

[bmsm]

This is the Combatant Order Third Class (one star) and Second Class (two stars) and was awarded for bravery in battle.

It is 1-5/8 in, from point to point on the planchet. It is made out of aluminum.

It was awarded to Officers, heroes, high ranking PAVN Personnel, Sapper Units and battalion and larger size units.

Also shown is the corresponding chest ribbon.

Bob

[bmsm]

Reverse of Order.

Bob

[bmsm]

This is an award document and award for a Combatant Order Third Class.

Bob

[bmsm]

Order of the Soldier of Glory (left picture)and the Soldier of Glory Decoration (right picture).

The Order is found in three classes.

The first class has three yellow stripes, second class two yellow stripes and third class has one yellow stripe. It was given for nine(first class), seven (second class) and five (third class) years of meritorious service . It has the red flag and "Resolved to Win" stamped on it and "Soldier of Glory" on the bottom. The star is 1-3/4 in. from point to point.

The Soldier of Glory was issued in one class. It was awarded for 3-5 years of service with no discipline in the PAVN. The star is 1-11/16 in from point to point.

Bob

Edited March 22, 2011 by bmsm

[bmsm]

Reverse of Order and Decoration.

Bob

[bmsm]

The Victory Order was awarded in three classes. The first Class was awarded to personnel at the Regiment or Division Level, the Second Class to the Company, Platoon or Squad level and the Third Class was awarded to NCO's and Enlisted Men.

The classes are recognized bt the number of yellow stripes on the ribbon (First Class has three stripes, etc.).

This Order was awarded for Army Service length of at least five years and good conduct during this time.

There are two versions to this award, one with the official red enamel center and one with a gilt center.

The penchant is 1-3/4 in. from point to point.

Shown are two different red color (painted) and enameled centers.

Bob

Edited March 27, 2011 by bmsm

[bmsm]

Reverses of the Orders.

Bob

[bmsm]

The Victory Decoration is awarded to Personnel who had three years service requirement but not five to be awarded the

Victory Order.

It was awarded in two classes and had the official red enamel and the version with the gilt center.

Chien Thang (victory) is inscribed below on obverse.

Bob

[bmsm]

Reverse of the Decorations.

Bob

[bmsm]

Resistance Order in First Class (three stars), Second Class (two stars) and Third Class (one star).

It was awarded to units and personnel for outstanding military service or service supporting resistance

against the enemy.

The planchet is 1-1/2 in. from point to point.

Bob

[bmsm]

Resistance Decoration was awarded in two classes denotated by one or two stars on the ribbon.

Two stars is the First class and one star is the Second Class.

The planchet is 1-1/16 in. from point to point.

KHANG CHIEN (resistance) is inscribed on the obverse bottom.

Bob

Edited March 29, 2011 by bmsm

[bmsm]

KPR Friendship Decoration and chest ribbon. It is made of brass and the planchet is 1-5/8 in. from point to point.

This is not a North Vietnamese Award but an award from the Kampuchean People's Republic (KPR) to the People's Army of Vietnam for friendship to the KPR.

Kampuchea was formerly known as Cambodia.

Bob

[bmsm]

The Banner of Resolution for Victory Decoration was awarded for service of 25 or more years in the

PAVN. It was only awarded in one class and was established in October, 1984.

The planchet is made of aluminum and is 1-1/2 in. diameter.

Bob

[bmsm]

The Security of the Fatherland Decoration was established August, 1985 and was awarded

to Government Officials, PAVN members and Security Personnel with more than 25 years of

service. It is only awarded in one class. The inscription on the bottom says "security of the Fatherland".

It is made of aluminum and the planchet is 1-3/4 in. from point to point.

Bob

[bmsm]

When posting the People's Armed Forces Hero Decoration above, I posted the wrong obverse. This is the correct obverse and the size should only be 1-7/16 in from point to point and 2-1/4 in. high.

Bob

People's Armed Forces Hero Decoration, 1-11/16 in. from point to point, 2-1/4 in high and made of aluminum.

It is awarded to PAVN members for heroism and is the second highest award . It could also be awarded to units.

Above-heroes Below-Peoples Armed Forces

Bob

[bmsm]

Heroic Mothers Decoration. This decoration was issued to honor Vietnamese mothers who had sacrificed sons to the war effort. It was instituted in 1994 as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam's 33rd official medal. It was only issued in one class.

It is made of aluminum, 1-3/8 in. from point to point and is 2-1/4 in. high.

Bob

[bmsm]

This is a Self Defense Militia (Dan Quan Tu Ve) soft cap badge. The DQTV is the lowest force of the PAVN, found at the district and village levels.

The badge is 1-11/16 in from point to point, made of plastic and has a pinback.

Bob

[bmsm]

This is a Family Contribution (of soldiers) Badge. It is 1-1/8 in. diameter, made of brass and has a pinback.

Gia Dinh Quan Nhan means military families.

Bob

[bmsm]

This badge is for the NVA Soldier to Protect the Nation, 1954. QDNDVN is Quan Doi Nhan Dan Viet Nam which means People's Army of Vietnam.

Below is Chien Si Ve Quoc Quan 1954 which means "Soldier to Protect the Nation1954"

The badge is 3/4 in. wide, 1-3/16 in. high, made of aluminum and has a pinback.

Bob

[bmsm]

This is a Warrior to be Emulated Decoration for Ben Tre and a Ben Tre Progressive Youth Badge.

The decoration is 1-1/4 in. wide, 1-13/16 in. high, made of aluminum and has a pinback.

Translation above-Soldier Emulation.

The Progressive Youth badge is 3/4 in. wide,15/16 in. high, made of aluminum and has a pin back.

In 1968, during the Tet Offensive, the village of Ben Tre was destroyed by air and artillery strikes. A press

briefing was called by the army and the quote "We had to destroy Ben Tre to save it" was blurted out by a Major giving the conference.

More information on the battle can be found at this web site- http://www.nhe.net/BenTreVietnam/.

Bob

[bmsm]

These are Labor Orders which were awarded in three classes to individuals or groups for outstanding labor and intellectual accomplishments. Early strikes of this award have serial numbers on the reverse.

I have an earlier strike with the serial number on the reverse but it has an incorrect ribbon. The stripes should be blue on the red ribbon.

Bob

[bmsm]

A close up of the early strike.

Bob