Vietnam Missing in Action Medal

ESTABLISHING LEGISLATION

The Vietnam MIA Medal was established by Act of Congress (Section 1267 of Public Law 98-94, 98th Congress) on September 24, 1983.

EVENT COMMEMORATED

This medal commemorates the military service of those who are missing in action in Vietnam and whose status remains unknown. It was presented by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate jointly, on behalf of the Congress, to those American personnel listed as missing or otherwise unaccounted for in Southeast Asia, to be accepted by their next of kin.

ORDER OF PRECEDENCE

This medal commemorates the military service of those who are missing in action in Vietnam and whose status remains unknown. It was presented by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate jointly, on behalf of the Congress, to those American personnel listed as missing or otherwise unaccounted for in Southeast Asia, to be accepted by their next of kin.

DEVICES

No devices were authorized for this medal.

DESIGNER

The Vietnam MIA medal was designed by Thomas Mason Nielson.

FIRST AWARD

The first Vietnam MIA Medal was presented to Colonel Earl P. Hopper, U.S. Army (Retired), whose son, Lieutenant Colonel Earl P. Hopper, Jr., USAF, was listed as missing in action after his F-4 was shot down on January 10, 1968. The medal was presented on July 21, 1984.

DESCRIPTION AND SYMBOLISM

Obverse

In the center of a bronze medallion three inches in diameter, an eagle is shown partially concealed in a bamboo grove. Around the edge of the medal, in incised letters, is the inscription MISSING WHILE SERVING IN THE DEFENSE OF FREEDOM IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

. At the base of the medal, the words POW