need help

[elandil]

So my uncle passed last week. The only thing he would tell us about his military service was that he was special forces in vietnam.

Well, yesterday, they had a shadowbox display beside the casket. So far i've identified the Bronze Star, and Army Commendation medal. But the others are still eluding me. Does anyone recognise any of the other medals?

[laughing_man]

I'm so sorry.

That display is very wonderful!

I looked at Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awards_an ... med_Forces
Vietnam Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal

[shawker71]

Presidential Unit Citation, National Defense Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, Infantry Cord, Spec 4 chevron, Army Achievment Medal, Expert shooting, Driver Badge, 25th Infantry patches. How's That sound?

I think the crossed sabers over the laurel is German but I could be mistaken.

[housil]

I think the crossed sabers over the laurel is German but I could be mistaken.

Yes, it´s German. We wore it at the Class A uniforms hat of the Army.

[cavguy]

Here is a website for 2/12 Infantry. http://www.212warriors.com/

We call that 25th ID patch the "electric strawberry"!

They were a conventional unit not SF, also E4 is a very low rank to be MOS qualified and assigned to a SF unit but since this is Vietnam era, maybe it was different back then. I know the Rangers wore a Black beret back in the day, SF has always been green, but I would advise you to request a copy of your family members DD-214 from the national archives at;
https://www.archives.gov/veterans/milit ... ce-records

This document will tell you EXACTLY what medals and awards your uncle was awarded.

[elandil]

Presidential Unit Citation, National Defense Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, Infantry Cord, Spec 4 chevron, Army Achievment Medal, Expert shooting, Driver Badge, 25th Infantry patches. How's That sound?

Wow.

[rabidwolf]

My condolences to you elandil for your loss. If you need to talk or an ear. Shoot me a message.

[elandil]

My condolences to you elandil for your loss. If you need to talk or an ear. Shoot me a message.

I really appreciate it, brother.

[elandil]

... but I would advise you to request a copy of your family members DD-214 from the national archives at;
https://www.archives.gov/veterans/milit ... ce-records

This document will tell you EXACTLY what medals and awards your uncle was awarded.

Im sure my aunt has a copy, but i'm gonna be putting this to use to find out more about my father. Thank you for the links.

[shawker71]

According to the page cavguy listed the beret in the shadowbox would fit with the initials CRIP on it:

The Combined Reconnaissance and Intelligence Platoon (CRIP) was under the operational control of the Vietnamese "Province Chief" and was a "combined" platoon of Americans and Vietnamese. The Americans of the platoon were carried on the 2/12's HHC roster.

I didn't find his name on any of the rosters but that really doesn't mean much. It does explain why he may have said or implied he was SF as well. It may have been a sort of in country LRRP type platoon. Just guestimating.

I will also take a stab that by the patch on the left he R&R in Australia.