[68stanger]

Kind of my point. The National Defense Service Medal qualification dates are 1 January 1961 to 14 August 1974. It was not given to Reserves (not even Active Reserves. Therefore he would not even be considered a Vietnam ERA Veteran, right? I was in from 1972 to 1976 (Corporal MOS 6682). We were awarded an NDSM out of boot camp. The Reserves in my platoon (2096 in San Diego) did NOT receive them.

[Bringbackthedraft]

In 1971-2?? Nixon awarded the Reserves and National Guard the NDM for participation in the Great “U.S.A. Mail War”. He also gave them a year off of their service. (Hence, the missing days of GWB??) The NDM and GCM should have remained as full time active duty awards. There is no need for a cold war medal, the NDM is the Cold War medal.

[OldGoatCPO]

Until 1991 Reserves did not receive the NDSM. Presidential Degrees for Desert Shield and Desert Storm and War on Terror authorized Reserves to receive it. But people should not confuse NDSM dates with the dates that constitute a Vietnam Era Veteran. 5 May 1975 was the end date for Vietnam Era. Only around 3,000,000 vets served boots on the ground in Vietnam. During that same period nearly 10,000,000 men and women served in the armed forces. I am a Vietnam Era vet, Saigon fell when I was at Camp Pendleton going to my A School. Vietnam Era is a designation and impacts benefits. Phillips is a Vietnam Era Vet, that does not mean he was a good Marine. I would be interested in seeing his 214 page 4 with character of service. In the 70’s and 80’s we had no problem with the PC crap. Bad Conduct and Undesirable Discharges were not uncommon. That said you had to really screw up to get kicked out in the 70’s. In the 70’s and early 80’s NCOs and SNCOs handled a lot of the discipline issues one on one. I was a smart a$$ LCpl, one night at the bar while I was having a beer the NCOs cornered me, I agreed to an immediate change in attitude. About a month later, same NCOs cornered me in the same bar and bought me a beer, told me to keep up the good work. Different leadership in those days.

[Redwood71]

I am surprised your reserves didn’t get it. Reserve members who are ordered to federal active duty, regardless of how long, may be awarded the National Defense Service Medal if applied to the correct time frame. (You’ll notice I said MAY) That was the problem with the liar, he wasn’t in at the right times.

rwood

[stylin19a]

Based on Redwood71’s post, he qualified by 2 days. so we’re back to your question.
Why does he not have the National Defense Service Medal ?

[stylin19a]

BTW...
Semper Fi.