The Vietnam Medal

New Zealand and Australia jointly developed and instituted the Vietnam Medal in 1968 to recognise service in the Vietnam War. It was awarded for service between 28 May 1964 and 27 January 1973 of: one or more days on land, one operational sortie by air, 28 days at sea off the coast, or 30 days cumulative on official or inspection visits. The ribbon is yellow with three central red stripes (to represent the flag of South Vietnam) edged with stripes of dark blue, light blue and red (representing the Navy, Air Force and Army).