Choosing Vietnam Veteran Ribbon Bars for Shadow Boxes
The choice of ribbon bar often depends on the specific branch of service and the number of decorations earned. While full-size medals are bulky, ribbon bars offer a streamlined way to represent a career. You'll find that the quality of the mounting hardware significantly affects the longevity of the display, especially when dealing with older, original ribbons that may be prone to fraying.
Quick facts
| Feature | Thin Bar | Thick Bar |
|---|---|---|
| Profile | Low | High |
| Weight | Light | Heavy |
| Stability | High | Moderate |
| Best For | Display | Uniforms |
What are the specific requirements for displaying military awards in a shadow box?
Displaying military awards requires strict adherence to official precedence to maintain the integrity and historical accuracy of the veteran’s service record.
- Precedence order: Awards must be arranged starting from the top left, moving right and down, following the specific hierarchy established by the Department of Defense.
- Full-size medals: These should be centered below the ribbon rack, typically aligned with the vertical axis of the display case.
- Service stars: These devices represent multiple awards and must be centered on the ribbon according to the specific branch regulations.
- Background fabric: Use high-quality, non-reflective felt or velvet to prevent glare and protect the finish of the medals.
How should ribbon bars be arranged according to the order of precedence?
Awards follow a strict order of precedence, starting with personal decorations like the Medal of Honor, followed by unit awards and service medals. You must arrange them in rows of three or four, reading from the wearer's right to left and top to bottom, as dictated by the specific service branch manual.
Which decorations are most commonly awarded to personnel who served in the Vietnam War?
Most Vietnam-era veterans received a standard set of campaign and service decorations that reflect the specific timeline and nature of their deployment.
- Vietnam Service Medal: This was the primary campaign award given to all personnel who served in the designated combat zone between 1965 and 1973.
- National Defense Service Medal: This decoration was awarded to anyone who served on active duty during the Vietnam War era.
- Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal: This foreign award was granted to personnel who served at least six months in the country or provided direct support.
- Good Conduct Medal: This was earned by enlisted personnel who maintained exemplary behavior and efficiency throughout their period of service.
Are there specific regulations regarding the mounting of miniature versus full-size medals?
Military regulations prohibit mixing miniature and full-size medals within the same display row, as they serve different purposes for formal and evening wear.
| Medal Type | Standard Size | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Full-size | 1.25 to 1.5 inches | Ceremonial dress |
| Miniature | 0.5 to 0.75 inches | Mess dress uniforms |
| Ribbon bar | 1.375 inches wide | Daily duty uniform |
| Lapel pin | 0.5 inches | Civilian clothing |
Use these dimensions to make sure your shadow box maintains a consistent scale, as mixing sizes creates a visual imbalance that distracts from the awards.
How can a veteran's service record be verified to ensure the correct ribbons are included?
To verify a veteran's service record, you should request a copy of the DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. This document serves as the definitive record of all awards, decorations, and campaign participation. You can request these records through the National Personnel Records Center, which maintains the files for millions of veterans. For example, if a veteran served in the 1st Infantry Division, the DD-214 will explicitly list the unit citations and campaign stars earned during that specific deployment.
One nuance to remember is that older records, particularly those from the mid-20th century, may be incomplete due to the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center. If a record is missing, you can submit a request for an official military personnel file reconstruction, which uses secondary evidence like morning reports or award certificates to validate the missing medals.
What is the proper way to mount ribbon bars to prevent damage to the fabric over time?
No, you should never pierce the backing board with the original clutch pins, as this creates permanent holes and risks tearing the fabric. Instead, mount the ribbons onto a thin, rigid plastic or metal backing plate that attaches to the display board using non-damaging, archival-quality adhesive strips or tension clips.
Are there differences in ribbon bar display protocols between the various branches of the U.S. Armed Forces?
Each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces maintains its own specific order of precedence, meaning a ribbon rack for a Marine will differ in sequence from one worn by an Airman. A lot of people assume that all military ribbons are interchangeable across branches, but each service has unique campaign medals and unit citations that are not recognized or worn by other branches. Always consult the specific service manual for the veteran’s branch to make sure the correct placement of each ribbon.
Common mistakes
- Using adhesive backings. Never glue ribbons directly to the backing board, as the chemicals will degrade the fabric over time; use pins or specialized mounting clips instead.
- Ignoring the spacing. Placing ribbons too close together creates a cluttered look, so leave at least 1/8 inch of space between rows for visual clarity.
- Mixing mounting styles. Don't combine modern magnetic bars with vintage pin-back bars in the same display, as the inconsistent depths will look uneven.
How should foreign or unit-level awards be integrated into a memorial display?
Foreign and unit-level awards are placed after all personal decorations and service medals in the order of precedence. Typically, these are grouped together at the end of the ribbon rack or placed on a separate, dedicated row below the primary awards. For example, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross is a common unit-level award that should be positioned according to the specific regulations of the veteran's branch, usually following U.S. service medals but preceding non-military decorations.
An important nuance is that some foreign awards require specific authorization from the Department of Defense before they can be officially worn or displayed on a uniform. If a veteran received a foreign decoration that was not officially approved for wear, it is still appropriate to include it in a shadow box as a personal memento, though it should be clearly separated from the official, authorized military awards to maintain historical accuracy.
Refining Your Memorial Display
Focus on using matching, high-quality hardware to maintain a sense of order and respect for the service record. A clean, properly aligned display honors the veteran's history far better than a crowded or mismatched arrangement.