Case for Navy Commendation Medal awarded to US Marine Elmer R. Bunting for his Vietnam War service

Maker United States Navy

Date1970

Object number00009205

NameCase

MediumVinyl, satin, velvet

DimensionsOverall: 180 x 110 mm, 0.25 kg

ClassificationsTools and equipment

Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds

Terms

DescriptionThis blue medal case belonged to E.D. Bunting of the United States Marine Corp who undertook active service from 1964 - 1970. Bunting served all over the world, mainly in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War from 1967 - 1969.HistoryThe Vietnam War was a war fought between North Vietnam and its communist allies, and South Vietnam supported by the United States and other non-communist allies. The War was primarily fought between 1959 and 1975 and spanned Vietnam and its neighbouring countries Laos and Cambodia. The involvement of the United States began in 1955 when a Military Assistance Advisory Group was deployed by President Eisenhower to train the Southern Vietnamese Army. In 1962 President Kennedy signed the Foreign Assistance Act to grant military aid to countries on the communist rim and in 1965 the United States military undertook an aerial bombing campaign in Northern Vietnam in response to an attack on two United States destroyers. The war escalated further with the arrival of the first United States combat troops in 1965. By 1970 it was clear that the Vietnam War had reached a stalemate. The United States had more troops and better equipment, but many of the South Vietnamese supported the Vietcong, a South Vietnamese pro-communist guerilla force, and worked with them against the Americans. After long peace talks in France, a cease fire was negotiated in 1973 and the American troops and their allies returned home. The Vietnam War ended on 30 April 1975 with the fall of Saigon to Communist forces and the reunification of North and South Vietnam. During the Vietnam War, military decorations were bestowed on soldiers by each of the warring sides, North and South Vietnam and the United States. A number of United States medals were issued for either Valor or Merit during the War including the: Air Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross and Commendation Medal.SignificanceThis Vietnam era medal box is an example of the types of medal cases issued by the United States military during the Vietnam War period.