Vietnam, Second Republic. A Military Merit Medal

Quân-Công Bội-Tinh. Instituted in 1950. In bronze gilt, measuring 35.7 mm (w) x 60 mm (h) inclusive of its palm leaf and crossed swords suspension, green oxidation evident on both sides, original ribbon, near extremely fine.

Footnote: This decoration was the South Vietnamese equivalent of the French Medaille Militaire. It is a circular gold coloured medal, the obverse inscribed "TO-QUOC-TRI-AN" (The Gratitude of the Fatherland) in the central disc, with a thin band around the disc containing the words "QUAN-CONG-BOI-TINH" and surrounded by a wreath, reverse inscribed "VIET-NAM CONG HOA" appear in the central disc, with a thin band around the disc containing the words "QUAN-CONG-BOI-TINH" and surrounded by a wreath, as per the obverse. It was the highest military decoration bestowed to enlisted personnel, by the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) during the years of the Vietnam War. The medal was established on August 15, 1950. The Military Merit Medal was modeled after the French Médaille Militaire and was awarded mostly to Enlisted Men for valour in combat. The Vietnamese National Order of Vietnam was considered the equivalent decoration for military officers. The Military Merit Medal is awarded or awarded posthumously to Non-Commissioned Officers (including Aspirants) and Enlisted Men in the Armed Forces: who previously received citations at the Armed Forces level; who had been wounded once or many times in combat; who distinguished themselves by their heroic actions; or who served in an honourable manner for at least thirteen years. The Military Merit Medal may be awarded or posthumously awarded to Allied Non-Commissioned Officers and Enlisted Men for valour while fighting the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam.