message

how do i find out about unit citations at mag16, i was there from august of 68 to dec of 69.?

Vietnam PUC for MABS-16, MAG-16, Nov 1963.

I am researching information about my late father.
He was awarded a Republic of Vietnam PUC and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for an expedition on his service record as follows:

AF EXP Medal -
13Dec63 CounterinsurgencyOpns, Republic of Vietnam from 310ct63 to 13Dec63. Approved by CO, SU#2, MABS-16

His record of service shows:
SU#2,MABS-16,MAG-16 1stMAW, FPO, SFRAN 31Oct63 for TAD primary duty FireTeamLdr
SU#2,MABS-16,MAG-16 1stMAW, FPO, SFRAN 13Dec63 TADCompl primary duty FireTeamLdr.

Does anyone know what the PUC was given for?
Another thread detailed a Navy Unit Citation for MABS-16 Sub Unit 2 9Apr62-30Nov64 SU TE 79.3.3.6.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

David McKenney wrote: I am researching information about my late father.
He was awarded a Republic of Vietnam PUC and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for an expedition on his service record as follows:

AF EXP Medal -
13Dec63 CounterinsurgencyOpns, Republic of Vietnam from 310ct63 to 13Dec63. Approved by CO, SU#2, MABS-16

His record of service shows:
SU#2,MABS-16,MAG-16 1stMAW, FPO, SFRAN 31Oct63 for TAD primary duty FireTeamLdr
SU#2,MABS-16,MAG-16 1stMAW, FPO, SFRAN 13Dec63 TADCompl primary duty FireTeamLdr.

Does anyone know what the PUC was given for?
Another thread detailed a Navy Unit Citation for MABS-16 Sub Unit 2 9Apr62-30Nov64 SU TE 79.3.3.6.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

MABS-16 was awarded the following for Vietnam service:
PUC
4 May 65 - 15 Sept 67 (1st MAW)

NUC
1 May - 13 Aug 69 (MAG-16)
1 Nov 70 - 31 May 71 (MAG-16)

MUC
2 Nov 67 - 30 Apr 69
29 - 31 Oct 70 (MAG-16)
14 Apr - 22 Jun 71 (3d MAB)

Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamer Vietnam 1962-65

Vietnam Service Streamer 2 silver and 4 bronze stars (I think the number is right)

RVN Cross of Gallantry with Palm

RVN MUC (Civic Actions) with Palm

The MABS-16 SU#2 NUC was for service as part of "SHUFLY" (TE 79.3.3.6)
The AFEM was also for service in-country with "SHUFLY".

As far as I know the Vietnam PUC was only awarded to US troops for service in Aug-Sept 1954.

Thanks for the info.

2 questions.
1st what is the eligibility for the RVN MUC (Civic Actions) with Palm award? Specifically for SU#2, MABS-16. My brother and I are trying to understand all of the awards my father was eligible for.

2nd, we have a picture (date unknown but post 1963) of my father in uniform wearing the RVN PUC ribbon. Wikipedia's website says.....

"The Republic of Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation was awarded by the Vietnamese government to all personnel in the Military Assistance Advisory Group during August and September 1954. The emblem consists of three vertical red stripes on a golden yellow background, in a gold frame.

The decoration was also awarded throughout the Vietnam War to certain units of the U.S. military deemed to have performed exceptional service to Vietnam. The Republic of Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation is considered obsolete since the bestowing authority, the government of South Vietnam, no longer exists."

Could the RVN PUC have been given out to SU#2, MABS-16 personnel in late 1963?

Thanks for your help.

Dave McKenney

I think I found the answer to my own question on the RVN MUC (Civil Actions). SECNAVINST 1650.1G states the eligibility period is 1 Jan 65 to 28 Mar 73. My father served in SU#2, MABS-16 in 1963, so he wasn't eligible.