I am looking for a little help figuring out the rest of this ribbon stack. This is from a photograph of my Grandfather. Any takers?

2018-02-11T01:54:33-05:00

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2018 2:02 AM

2018-02-11T02:02:20-05:00

Did you try using one of the ribbon/rack builders to identify them, like medals of America?

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2018 2:09 AM

2018-02-11T02:09:06-05:00

Maybe #6 would be Korean Service. It would be in the proper place between the NDM and Vietnam Service.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2018 2:30 AM

2018-02-11T02:30:30-05:00

Possible #11 Republic of Vietnam RVN National Order Medal 5th class.

Response by TSgt David L. made Feb 11 at 2018 2:42 AM

2018-02-11T02:42:31-05:00

No chance you have a color pic, Gunner?
#6 looks like the Korean Service medal. The other two have me stumped!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2018 2:48 AM

2018-02-11T02:48:03-05:00

Can't quite figure out #13 but this is the order of precedence I have so far.

Legion of Merit Medal Ribbon
Meritorious Service Medal Ribbon
Air Force Commendation Medal Ribbon
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
National Defense Service Medal Ribbon
Korean Service Medal Ribbon
Vietnam Service Medal Ribbon
Air Force Longevity Service Award
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Republic of Vietnam National Order Medal 5th Class Ribbon
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation - AF/N/MC/CG Frame
United Nations Korean Service Medal Ribbon
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal Ribbon

Response by LCDR Gordon Brown made Feb 11 at 2018 3:01 AM

2018-02-11T03:01:36-05:00

#6 Looks like the Korean Service ribbon that would explain the star on the National Defense ribbon, two separate wars.

Response by SPC Darren Coffenberry made Feb 11 at 2018 3:05 AM

2018-02-11T03:05:05-05:00

Number 13, I think is the Vietnam badass badge, judging by the rest of his rack...he didn't run from anything, god bless your grandfather!!

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2018 3:10 AM

2018-02-11T03:10:42-05:00

Sir, This is the only device that I could find that walks similar to that of the photo. I’ve gone through every service and could not find just a wreath device so I’m thinking that it may possibly just not show a letter due to the quality of the photo.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Feb 11 at 2018 6:05 AM

2018-02-11T06:05:25-05:00

Without the ribbons being in color it's hard to determine what the blank picture ones are.

Response by CPT Jim Schwebach made Feb 11 at 2018 11:36 AM

2018-02-11T11:36:57-05:00

What rank did your grandfather hold during his service? I ask because that would have a bearing on the awards, especially the foreign awardrs, he may have received. The National Order Of Vietnam was typically not awarded to junior officer or enlisted personnel(with the possible exception of the Marine Corps). That could account for #11. Based on it's location #13 is also a foreign award. Could be an award from a country other than ROK or RVN depending on whether he served somewhere else as part of a diplomatic, advisory or training mission. The device is significant as neither RVN or ROK used the wreath on any of their decorations.

Response by 1SG Charles Hunter made Feb 11 at 2018 11:53 AM

2018-02-11T11:53:53-05:00

Certainly #13 is a puzzler. The pattern resembles the RVN Air Service Medal, but I find no reference to the wreath associated with that award. It was never authorized for wear on Class A's for active duty personnel, but is allowed for honorably discharged veterans.

Response by LCDR Robert S. made Feb 11 at 2018 7:38 PM

2018-02-11T19:38:15-05:00

In your shoes, I'd be writing off to the National Personnel Records Center for your grandfather's Official Military Personnel File, which should (but might not) have a complete listing of what he was eligible to wear. If it includes information about these (which in the case of #11 and #13 should be foreign awards), you'll have your answer. If they information isn't there, you'll at least have a list of duty stations which will allow you to determine whether there were countries other than Viet Nam where he served, and thus could have earned one of their awards.

I'll also note that the NPRC has different rules for different branches of the service, and as a grandson, I think you aren't considered Next of Kin for purposes of getting a copy of your grandfather's records, so you may need to enlist the effort of one of your grandfather's children, siblings, or your grandmother, if she's still around.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2018 11:04 PM

2018-02-11T23:04:28-05:00

#13 is definitely a foreign award, and one I have seen before. Possibly a Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal as it looks like there may be some very faint stripes and the wreath matches the wreath on the medal. It would help to know if he was enlisted or an officer.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2018 12:38 AM

2018-02-12T00:38:38-05:00

https://ipfs.io/ipfs/QmXoypizjW3WknFiJnKLwHCnL72vedxjQkDDP1mXWo6uco/wiki/Awards_and_decorations_of_the_United_States_Armed_Forces.html

Awards and decorations of the United States Armed Forces

The United States Armed Forces awards and decorations are primarily the medals, service ribbons, and specific badges which recognize military service and personal accomplishments while a member of the U.S. military. Such awards are a means to outwardly display the highlights of a service member's career.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2018 12:43 AM

2018-02-12T00:43:09-05:00

#13 is the Vietnam Air Service Medal, 1st Grade.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2018 4:54 PM

2018-02-12T16:54:06-05:00

I am guessing you don't have his social... If you do you can find out his awards from the veterans administration or his dd 214.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2018 5:01 PM

2018-02-12T17:01:36-05:00

#13 looks like the System of Cooperation Among the American Air Forces award of their Legion of Merit, which of the three grades I can’t tell. It’s similar to the inter-American defense board, or the multi-national observers medals.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_Cooperation_Among_the_American_Air_Forces#Awards

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_military_decoration_authorized_by_the_US_military

Yes, I know Wikipedia isn’t the best resource, but it’s the quickest for this post.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Feb 13 at 2018 12:18 AM

2018-02-13T00:18:51-05:00

13 - https://wikivisually.com/wiki/SICOFAA_Legion_of_Merit_Medal

WikiVisually.com

The entire wikipedia with video and photo galleries for each article. Find something interesting to watch in seconds.

Response by SFC Greg Bruorton made Feb 13 at 2018 11:53 PM

2018-02-13T23:53:03-05:00

You sure make a guy feel old, but I am a grandfather.
#12, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, was worn on my right side rather than in the rack.
Your grandfather's rack is quite impressive, Chief! Sorry, but I can't identify those that are in question.

I'm not certain if #11 is the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Feb 14 at 2018 10:05 AM

2018-02-14T10:05:25-05:00

Would help if it was in color!

Response by SFC James Wesser made Feb 16 at 2018 9:08 AM

2018-02-16T09:08:46-05:00

# 6 is the Korean Service Medal, If I could see the picture in color I could tell you what nubers 11 and 13 are.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2018 9:53 PM

2018-02-17T21:53:23-05:00

Secured my Grandfathers decorations yesterday, mystery solved. Thanks To everyone to took time to help.

Response by SP5 Sonny Neal made Feb 22 at 2018 10:36 PM

2018-02-22T22:36:43-05:00

There is a military source where you can get a copy of the medals awarded to a family member as long as you show proof of kinship. Can’t remember the name of it tho

Response by SFC Edward Spurgeon made Mar 1 at 2018 10:01 PM

2018-03-01T22:01:47-05:00

I THINK THAT CAMPAIGN STAR ON THE NDSM DOESN'T BELONG THERE

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Mar 5 at 2018 12:20 AM

2018-03-05T00:20:10-05:00

6 is the Korea Service Medal. I am not sure about the other two but they are probably Korean or Vietnamese awards. 13 is probably the Vietnam Air Service Medal but I don't know what the wreath is for. 11 looks like the British Distinguished Service Order which is a high ranking decoration equivalent to the Distinguished Service Cross. The DSO is rare for Brits and extremely rare for Americans. (The only American I know of who got it was General Shoup of the USMC who was a Medal of Honor recipient.)

Response by 1SG Bob Brown made Mar 9 at 2018 6:25 AM

2018-03-09T06:25:46-05:00

Go online to Medals of America. They have a very in depth catalog. You'll find it there

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2018 2:43 AM

2018-03-12T02:43:00-04:00

Your grandfather served in the Korean war, #13 could be from the Korean war era. I've seen that symbol on pictures of Army uniform sleeves from the Korean war era

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2018 3:08 AM

2018-03-12T03:08:51-04:00

#13 has a wreath like the one on this Army uniform (right sleeve) from WW2 or Korean War era.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 22 at 2018 1:49 AM

2018-03-22T01:49:14-04:00

Just as a thought, you could send for his file from NPRC in St. Louis, look at eVetRecs, a Java applet for sending in record requests, as family, you should be allowed, obviously, you might need to tell him, of surviving, of course, however, you could possibly get it for him, or family, also, as a surprise, they shoildmalso have his file photo, and be able to do a duplicate decoration search, they can also send a flag, if appropriate, a Presidential certificate, duplicate decorations for a shadow box, I've done it for my Dad, my Mom's Dad, an uncle, my Dad's sistersp's husband, my wife's Dad, stepdad, and brother, as well, it doesn't take all that long, you just need to keep the eVetRecs printout after you'd fax it in with the ref #, also, ne sure you sign and date it before faxing itz they're really quite good about finding most stuff, even with he 1970s Army seciption fire damage, I actually got pretty much everything, as well as all my own stuff...you can also ask for the admin file, as well as the medical/clinical file, though only if he hadn't survived, I'm not entirely sure about the clinical stuff, you !ight need to give proof for that, though I do know it is kept, and might well ne possible, certainly, I've gathered....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 22 at 2018 1:49 AM

2018-03-22T01:49:55-04:00

Send them a copy of the photo, they should be able to help you figure out the ones you can't get thus far, honest...

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Mar 29 at 2018 12:54 PM

2018-03-29T12:54:10-04:00

Response by SGM Harvey Boone made Apr 8 at 2018 5:01 PM

2018-04-08T17:01:20-04:00

Check AR 672-5-1 it will help.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2018 12:07 PM

2018-04-21T12:07:44-04:00

6 - Korean Service Medal

Response by SSG Steven Lemon made Apr 22 at 2018 11:29 AM

2018-04-22T11:29:05-04:00

Without the colors I could never get close

Response by CPL John Cox made May 7 at 2018 1:18 PM

2018-05-07T13:18:32-04:00

I think 13 is purple hart 2nd not sure. good luck