Dad was a USMC pilot and flew over 200 combat missions in Vietnam. Shot up but never shot down. He was a nice guy and very humble- never talked about any awards or accomplishments other than marksmanship stuff before he went overseas. He's no longer here for me to ask, so thought I'd check here for some info.
On his ribbons and medals I see two silver and one bronze service star. My understanding is that one silver = 5 bronze, so that equals 11 service stars? What actions in Vietnam would warrant a service star? Just being there for a given operation? Combat activity for a specific operation? Time in service? Just curious what would be the type of actions. IIRC, a local newpaper article mentions him coming back with 13 medals, though I think he said he just did his job and received the usual recognition for that.
Interesting that I only see one bronze service star for my Grandfather. I think he was 'in theater' as long or longer than my Dad. He was a Ssgt. in the Red Arrow Brigade (32nd Infantry) for Philippines campaign and later in Japan for the surrender and occupation. 32nd logged more combat days than any other Army division in WWII.
On his ribbons and medals I see two silver and one bronze service star. My understanding is that one silver = 5 bronze, so that equals 11 service stars? What actions in Vietnam would warrant a service star? Just being there for a given operation? Combat activity for a specific operation? Time in service? Just curious what would be the type of actions. IIRC, a local newpaper article mentions him coming back with 13 medals, though I think he said he just did his job and received the usual recognition for that.
Interesting that I only see one bronze service star for my Grandfather. I think he was 'in theater' as long or longer than my Dad. He was a Ssgt. in the Red Arrow Brigade (32nd Infantry) for Philippines campaign and later in Japan for the surrender and occupation. 32nd logged more combat days than any other Army division in WWII.