Leadership Medal
The Republic of Vietnam Leadership Medal (Vietnamese: Chỉ-Đạo Bội-Tinh) was a five-grade decoration awarded by South Vietnam. Established in 1964, the medal was awarded to South Vietnamese military commanders by the Chief of the Joint General Staff, Republic of Vietnam Military Forces.
| Leadership Medal | |
|---|---|
 Leadership Medal with Regiment level device | |
Awarded by  | |
| Type | Five-grade decoration |
| Eligibility | Vietnamese military officers |
| Awarded for | Excellent leadership in combat, operations, training, troop discipline and morale. |
| Status | No longer awarded |
| Statistics | |
| Established | June 5, 1964 |
| First awarded | 1964 |
| Last awarded | 1975 |
| Posthumous awards | Yes |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Armed Forces Honor Medal[1] |
| Next (lower) | Staff Service Medal[1] |
 Armed Forces level  Corps level  Division level  Brigade level  Regiment level  Battalion level  Company level | |
Criteria
The Loyalty Medal was awarded to South Vietnamese military commanders who had shown excellent leadership in "combat, operations, training, troop discipline, and morale". The medal was awarded in five different classes depending on the level of command. It was awarded for commander at the Armed Forces, Corps, Division, Brigade, Regiment, Battalion, and Company levels.[2]
Appearance
The Leadership medal is a bronze colored medal. Its pendant depicts a four-pointed star. Between the arms of the star are two swords pointed up with a green laurel wreath behind the swords. The medal hangs from a white ribbon with green edges and a red center stripe. The class of award is shown by a ribbon attachment that is similar in appearance to the military map symbol of the unit level the recipient commanded.
References
- Tucker, Spencer C., ed. (2011). The Encyclopedia of the Vietnam War a Political, Social, and Military History (2nd ed.). Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO. p. 750. ISBN 9781851099610.
- "HUY CHUONG AN THUONG TRONG QUAN-LU'C VlET-NAM CONG-HOA (Medals and Decorations of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces)". Government of the Republic of Vietnam. 1967. p. 100. Retrieved 26 January 2018.