View Cart 
Menu
Menu
DESCRIPTION
2023 Lest We Forget The Vietnam War - Mini Replica Medal Prestige Cover - Impressions Release 294-300
Limited to 300 Units
Prestige cover Instituted in 1968, the Vietnam Medal was the primary Australian campaign medal of the Vietnam War (1955–75), until the creation of the Australian Active Service Medal 1945–75, some 30 years later. It recognises members of the Australian Defence Forces and members of accredited philanthropic organisations serving in South Vietnam between 29 May 1964 and 27 January 1973. The medal’s reverse features a male figure struggling between two worlds, a homage to the ideological battle underpinning this deadly conflict. The obverse, which is shown when the medal is worn, bears the crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. The medal ribbon incorporates colours of the South Vietnamese flag and colours to represent the Australian Army, Navy and Air Force. The Vietnam Medal was issued under the Imperial system but was mainly awarded to Australian and New Zealand personnel, around 50,000 of them. This minisheet and medal collection, limited to a numbered edition of 300 contains two miniature replica medals. The Australian Active Service Medal and the Vietnam Medal.
Stamp pack The Vietnam War (1955–75) was fought between South Vietnam (backed by the United States) and the communist-led Viet Cong, supported by the North Vietnamese Army. While Australia didn’t enter the war until 1962, it was to become our longest conflict of the 20th century. More than 60,000 Australians served, of which 523 were killed and more than 3,000 wounded. Australia’s involvement, including a selective conscription scheme, was the cause of significant social and political dissent. Many veterans were left with long-term impacts to their health. Fifty years ago, in January 1973, the Australian government issued a proclamation to officially mark the end of the nation’s involvement in the war, although Royal Australian Air Force members returned to carry out evacuations and assist refugees, following the fall of Saigon in April 1975. In honour of all Australians who served in the Vietnam War, the stamps in this issue present two key campaign medals. Listed in the stamp backgrounds are base locations and other areas associated with the recipient classes for each medal. Established in June 1968, the Vietnam Medal was the primary Australian campaign medal of the Vietnam War, until the creation of the Australian Active Service Medal 1945–75, 30 years later. The medal recognises members of the Australian Defence Force and of accredited philanthropic organisations serving in South Vietnam between 29 May 1964 and 27 January 1973. The medal’s reverse features a male figure struggling between two worlds, in recognition of the ideological battle behind this deadly conflict. The Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal was established in February 1993, to recognise Australians who played a vital support role during the war but who did not qualify for the Vietnam Medal. This includes certain defence personnel in support roles, as well as entertainers, journalists, civilian surgical and medical teams, Qantas aircrew and embassy couriers. This pack includes two minisheets featuring a pair of stamps from the 2023 stamp issue, Lest We Forget: The Vietnam War. Both minisheets are numbered with one being perforated and one imperforate.