The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960-) was authorized by the Republic of Vietnam through decrees issued in May, 1964 and December 1965; the decoration was established through a Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces order the following March. The acceptance of the medal by U.S. servicemembers was made permissible with the passage of Public Law 88-257.
Because the medal and ribbon are identical in both name and design to one issued to French Soldiers during the First Indochina War, the date device was added to indicate that this award was for service during the Second Indochina War, more commonly called the Vietnam War. You can read about the eligibility requirements for the medal and ribbon on our
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal page.
Both the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960-), the miniature medal with device (the date is truncated "60-") and the date devices themselves are considered individual purchase items.