Vietnam Air Gallantry Cross
Encyclopedia
The Vietnam Air Gallantry Cross was a military decoration of South Vietnam
which was
issued during the years of the Vietnam War
. The Air Gallantry Cross was awarded for
meritorious or heroic conduct while engaged in aerial combat. The decoration was comparable
to the United States decoration of the Air Medal
.
The Air Gallantry Cross was occasionally awarded to members of foreign militaries, but only if
an air combat action was performed which directly benefitted Vietnamese war efforts. Pilots of
the United States Air Force
were often awarded the Air Gallantry Cross.
Separate decorations, known as the Vietnam Gallantry Cross
and Vietnam Navy Gallantry Cross
, were also issued for general service and naval achievement. These were separate awards from the Vietnam Air Gallantry Cross which came in four different grades: with gold wings, silver wings, bronze wings and no wings.
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
which was
issued during the years of the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. The Air Gallantry Cross was awarded for
meritorious or heroic conduct while engaged in aerial combat. The decoration was comparable
to the United States decoration of the Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
.
The Air Gallantry Cross was occasionally awarded to members of foreign militaries, but only if
an air combat action was performed which directly benefitted Vietnamese war efforts. Pilots of
the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
were often awarded the Air Gallantry Cross.
Separate decorations, known as the Vietnam Gallantry Cross
Vietnam Gallantry Cross
The Vietnam Gallantry Cross was a military decoration of South Vietnam which wasestablished in August 1950. Also known as the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, the Gallantry Cross was awarded to any military personnel who have accomplished deeds of valor or displayed heroic conduct while fighting an...
and Vietnam Navy Gallantry Cross
Vietnam Navy Gallantry Cross
The Vietnam Navy Gallantry Cross was a military decoration of South Vietnam which was issued during the years of the Vietnam War. The Navy Gallantry Cross was awarded to any member of the military who displayed meritorious or heroic combat while engaged in naval operations to benefit South Vietnam...
, were also issued for general service and naval achievement. These were separate awards from the Vietnam Air Gallantry Cross which came in four different grades: with gold wings, silver wings, bronze wings and no wings.