Does anyone recognize this Medal and/or Pin?

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Jun 2015 11:50:57 -0400

My Dad's Stepfather (my step grandfather?) served during Vietnam and was killed in action. Among his other medals (Purple Heart, BSM, etc) I found the below items. Can anyone tell me what they are? The medal says Vietnam on the back but does not look like the U.S. campaign medal for Vietnam. Thank you for your time.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jun 27 at 2015 11:55 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sat, 27 Jun 2015 11:55:37 -0400

The Vietnam Military Merit Medal (VMM), the highest military decoration of South Vietnam during the years of the Vietnam War.

http://www.a-1-6.org/story-vmm.htm

Shown at left is the The Vietnam Military Merit Medal (VMM), the highest military decoration of South Vietnam during the years of the Vietnam War. The VMM medal was the Vietnamese equivalent to the United States Medal of Honor and was authorized to those enlisted soldiers who had performed extreme acts of bravery or had given their lives in armed combat with enemy forces of Vietnam.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Jun 27 at 2015 11:55 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Sat, 27 Jun 2015 11:55:48 -0400

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Merit_Medal_(Vietnam)

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 27 at 2015 12:03 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sat, 27 Jun 2015 12:03:38 -0400

It's the South Vietnam Military Merit medal which is the highest award for their enlisted. They awarded it to US service members killed in action.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Jun 27 at 2015 12:28 PM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Sat, 27 Jun 2015 12:28:37 -0400

Lt .. despite the banter of who got this first, this award is a significant piece of honor. It appears that your step-grand-dad was a bonafide hero. If you ended up with his awards it would be a nice thing to do would be to sort out his military history and build a shaddow-box.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2015 7:47 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Jun 2015 19:47:24 -0400

Thank you to everyone for your quick posts about the medal. Does anyone have any insight on the pin? I may make a shadow box, hopefully I could get my dad to request his military records. I am not sure anyone would have his SSN though...

Response by MSG Donald Onley made Jun 27 at 2015 10:08 PM

MSG Donald Onley — Sat, 27 Jun 2015 22:08:57 -0400

The Vietnam Military Merit Medal was the highest military decoration of South Vietnam during the years of the VietnThe Vietnam Military Merit Medal was the highest military decoration of South Vietnam during the years of the Vietnam War. Created in 1950,

Response by MSG Donald Onley made Jun 28 at 2015 8:27 PM

MSG Donald Onley — Sun, 28 Jun 2015 20:27:34 -0400

The Vietnam Military Merit Medal was the highest military decoration of South Vietnam during the years of the Vietnam War. Created in 1950, the Military ...