Question:
Is the Vietnam Service Medal enough to prove that a Veteran was actually on the ground in Vietnam for the purposes of a Vietnam related disability? Thank you.
Jim's Reply:
No. The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to service members stationed in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia and was also awarded to service members serving in the airspace over those locales as well as the contiguous waters around that region.
Vietnam service (a Vietnam veteran) is generally considered to have been the service member placing his or her boots on the ground in the country of The Republic of Vietnam. The VSM does not support that.