United States: Southwest Asia Service Medal (in bronze, measuring 32.5 mm in diameter, original ribbon with brooch pinback); Republic of Vietnam: Military Merit Medal, Second Republic Version (Quân-Công Bội-Tinh). Instituted in 1950 (in bronze gilt, measuring 35.5 mm (w) x 60.5 mm (h) inclusive of its palm leaf and crossed swords suspension, original ribbon having separated from the medal); and Gallantry Cross (Anh-Dũng Bội-Tinh, Croix de la Vallance). Instituted in 1950 (in bronze, measuring 38 mm (w) x 62 mm (h) inclusive of its dual dragons suspension, bronze palm for citation at the Army or Armed Forces level on its original ribbon with pinback). Ranging from better than very fine to near extremely fine.
Footnote: The Southwest Asia Service Medal (SASM or SWASM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces which was created by order of President George H.W. Bush on March 12, 1991. The award is intended to recognize those military service members who performed duty during the years of the Persian Gulf War. The Republic of Vietnam Military Merit Medal 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 honorable 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 valor while fighting the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross is a military decoration of the former Government of South Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam) and was created on August 15, 1950, awarded to military personnel, civilians, and Armed Forces units and organizations in recognition of deeds of valor or heroic conduct while in combat with the enemy. Individuals who received the medal, ribbon, and a citation were personally cited at the Armed Forces, Corps, Division, Brigade or Regiment level. The Republic of Vietnam authorized members of units and organizations that were cited, to wear the Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Emblem with Palm and Frame (no medal is authorized).