The light cruiser USS Oklahoma City was in active service over a period of 35 years and saw action in World War II and the Vietnam War. The ship was awarded ten medals and three commendations, and earned 15 engagement stars for combat action and service under hostile conditions. This page lists the awards and the time periods they apply to. It also lists the qualifications necessary to receive the awards and the periods of service for which the Okie Boat earned the awards. Decorations are listed in order of precedence.

Crew members who were assigned to the ship and present during part or all of these periods are authorized to wear these decorations unless otherwise stated.

Note: quotations are from the "Navy And Marine Corps Awards Manual" of August 22, 2006, and the U. S. Navy World War II Ship Decorations list. Precedence is from the U. S. Navy Uniform Regulations, Awards Precedence Chart.

---

If you would like to verify what awards you are entitled to wear, go to the US National Archives Veterans Service Records page Obtaining Information on Navy Awards and Medals. If you think you should have been awarded a medal that you did not receive you should write the National Personnel Records Center, 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 6318-1002. You will need to submit a Form 149 Application for Correction of Military Record. Cite the appropriate reference from the Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual SECNAVINST 1650.1H (quoted below in blue). They will check your service record, and if you are entitled to the award they will correct your record and issue the medal. They do not issue medals awarded by foreign countries.

---

Combat Action Ribbon

17 February 1969 - 15 August 1973

"Awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (when the Coast Guard, or units thereof, operate under the control of the Navy) in the grade of captain/colonel and junior thereto, who have actively participated in ground or surface combat."

"The principal eligibility criterion is, regardless of military occupational specialty or rating, the individual must have rendered satisfactory performance under enemy fire while actively participating in a ground or surface engagement."

The Oklahoma City was approved for this award for the following periods:

From	To
07-Apr-1972	-
09-Apr-1972	-
11-Apr-1972	-
13-Apr-1972	14-Apr-1972
16-Apr-1972	-
19-Apr-1972	-
22-Apr-1972	23-Apr-1972
25-Apr-1972	-
09-May-1972	-
12-May-1972	-
15-May-1972	-
09-Oct-1972	-
26-Oct-1972	-

The Combat Action Ribbon was awarded only once for one or more periods in Southeast Asia from 17 February 1969 through 15 August 1973. Therefore, the OK City and it's crew are eligible for only one award for one or more of the dates listed above. The award is retroactive to actions in World War II, and was still in use in 2006.

---

Navy Unit Commendation

"Awarded by SECNAV to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that has distinguished itself by outstanding heroism in action against the enemy ... To justify this award, the unit must have performed service of a character comparable to that which would merit the award of a Silver Star Medal for heroism, or a Legion of Merit for meritorious service to an individual"

The Oklahoma City was approved for this award for the following period:

From	To
05-Apr-1972	04-Dec-1972

---

Meritorious Unit Commendation

"Awarded by SECNAV, CNO, or CMC to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that has distinguished itself, under combat or non-combat conditions, by either valorous or meritorious achievement ... To justify this award, the unit must have performed service of a character comparable to that which would merit the award of a Bronze Star Medal, or achievement of like caliber in a non-combat situation, to an individual."

The Oklahoma City was approved for this award for the following periods:

From	To
14-Sep-1966	25-Sep-1966
26-Nov-1968	01-Mar-1972
22-Apr-1975	30-Apr-1975

---

American Campaign Service Medal

7 December 1941 - 2 March 1946

"Effective October 12, 1945, members and former members of the land and naval forces of the United States ... who served in the continental United States for an aggregate period of one year between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946, inclusive, may be awarded the American Campaign Medal ..."

---

Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal

7 December 1941 - 2 March 1946

"[Asiatic pacific] campaign medals ... are authorized for all personnel of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard who, during the period from 7 December 1941 to the terminal date designated above for each medal, shall have served in the prescribed area under ... the following conditions: (a) Sea Duty. Attached to or serving aboard a vessel of the Navy ... for a period of 30 days. ..."

"Stars authorized for actual combat in operations and engagements ... will be known as engagement stars. ... Not more than one star will be awarded for a single operation or engagement. ... Frequently an operation or engagement is composed of several actions. Each action has been subdivided by a dash and number in sequence. ... Participation in one or more of these actions entitles an individual to only one star ..."

"The prerequisite to the wearing of a star on an area service ribbon shall be honorable service in a ship ... at the time it participated in actual combat ..."

"P34 Okinawa Gunto operation 17 March - 30 June 1945
P34-1 Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto 24 March - 30 June 1945"

OK City participated from 17 June 1945 - 20 June 1945 - one engagement star

"P35 3rd Fleet operations against Japan 10 July - 15 August 1945"

OK City participated from 10 July 1945 - 15 August 1945 - one engagement star

Note: The medal was awarded to all personnel serving in the area. Additional engagement stars were awarded for each combat operation.

---

World War II Victory Medal

7 December 1941 - 31 December 1946

"The World War II Victory Medal may be awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States ... who served on active duty in world War II at any time between 7 December 1941 and 31 December 1946, both dates inclusive."

---

Navy Occupation Service Medal (Asia)

2 September 1945 - 30 January 1946

"Eligibility ... requires that the individual shall have been attached to, present, and serving on permanent duty with an organization in the naval service of the United States [that has] performed duty in the occupation of enemy, or former enemy, national territory."

"Occupation duty in the Asiatic-Pacific area shall be credited to organizations for duty performed between 2 September 1945 and 27 April 1952."

---

National Defense Service Medal

1 January 1961 - 14 August 1974

Awarded for "honorable active service as a member of the armed forces ..."

---

Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal

1 July 1958 - 3 July 1965 and 29 April 1975 - 30 April 1975

"Awarded to personnel of the U. S. Armed forces who, after 1 July 1958, participate as members of U. S. military units in a U. S. military operation in which personnel ... are placed in such a situation that hostile action by foreign armed forces was imminent ... even though such hostile action did not materialize. ... Personnel must ... serve not less than 30 consecutive days ... or 60 non-consecutive days. ... Personnel are entitled to the award if they were attached to or served aboard a ship or unit for at least one day during the period(s) for which that ship or unit is listed as eligible."

"The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) have designated the following operations as eligible for award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM)."

"Vietnam: 1 Jul 58 to 3 Jul 65. Water areas from a point on the east coast of Vietnam at the border of Vietnam with China southeastward to 21N, 108-15E; thence southward to 18N, 108-15E; thence southeastward to 17-30N, 111E; thence southward to 11N, 111E; thence southwestward to 7N, 105E; thence westward to 7N, 103E; thence northward to 9-30N, 103E; thence northeastward to 10-15N, 104-273; thence northward to a point on the west coast of Vietnam at the border of Vietnam with Cambodia. In addition, the land area of Thailand is included."

"Korea: 1 Oct 66 to 30 Jun 74. This area includes the entire land mass of the Republic of Korea and the waters and air space enclosed by the following boundaries: from a point located at 32N on the coast of China, east to 32N by 129-203; thence northeastward to 36N by 134E; thence north to the coast of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR); thence along the coastline of the USSR, Korea, and China to the initial point."

"Vietnam Evacuation (Operation FREQUENT WIND): 29 to 30 Apr 75."

"Service stars are authorized for participation in each subsequent operation. Participation in two or more engagements within the same operation does not entitle the individual to wear [an additional] service star on the AFEM. ... All stars will be worn ... on the suspension ribbon of the large medal, and service ribbon or ribbon bar, to denote subsequent awards received."

Note: The medal was awarded for the first operation. Engagement stars were awarded for each subsequent operation. The Vietnam Operation included some or all of the periods listed (only one medal or star).

The Oklahoma City was approved for this award for the following periods (the ship chose to accept the AFEM for the Vietnam Evacuation operation in lieu of another engagement star on the Vietnam Service Medal):

Operation	From	To
Vietnam	03-Apr-1962	07-Apr-1962
	17-Apr-1962	18-Apr-1962
	19-Jul-1964	25-Jul-1964
	04-Aug-1964	03-Sep-1964
	16-Nov-1964	28-Nov-1964
	18-Mar-1965	29-Mar-1965
	15-May-1965	23-May-1965
	08-Jun-1965	24-Jun-1965
North Korea	20-Apr-1969	27-Apr-1969
Vietnam Evacuation	29-Apr-1975	30-Apr-1975

---

Vietnam Service Medal

4 July 1965 - 28 March 1973 and 29 April 1975 - 30 April 1975

"Awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States, serving at any time between July 1965 and 28 March 1973, in the area defined under the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) for Vietnam. ... personnel who were awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for their participation in Operation FREQUENT WIND, during the period 29 to 30 April 1975, may elect the VSM in lieu of the AFEM for such service. However, no person shall be entitled to both awards for the same service."

"Only personnel attached to ships or units, and who actually participated in the given operation, are eligible for the Vietnam Service Medal. This includes personnel attached to a squadron or unit embarked in a ship during the period for which the ship is eligible."

"An engagement star is authorized for each of the following campaigns. All stars will be worn ... on the suspension ribbon of the large medal, and service ribbon or ribbon bar, to denote subsequent awards received."

Note: The medal was awarded for the first campaign. Engagement stars were awarded for each subsequent campaign.

The Oklahoma City was approved for this award for the following periods:

Campaign	From	To
II. Vietnam Defense Campaign	17-Jul-1965	28-Jul-1965
	28-Aug-1965	13-Sep-1965
	13-Oct-1965	21-Oct-1965
	28-Nov-1965	12-Dec-1965
III. Vietnam Counter-offensive	20-Jan-1966	23-Jan-1966
	26-Jan-1966	31-Jan-1966
	27-Feb-1966	05-Mar-1966
	14-Mar-1966	29-Mar-1966
	15-May-1966	03-Jun-1966
IV. Vietnam Counter-offensive II	11-Jul-1966	26-Jul-1966
	25-Aug-1966	17-Sep-1966
	12-Oct-1966	21-Oct-1966
	29-Oct-1966	02-Nov-1966
	15-Nov-1966	18-Nov-1966
IX. Vietnam Counter-offensive VI	08-Dec-1968	16-Dec-1968
	10-Jan-1969	24-Jan-1969
	10-Feb-1969	22-Feb-1969
X. Tet 69 Counter-offensive	24-Feb-1969	04-Mar-1969
	04-Apr-1969	17-Apr-1969
	20-May-1969	01-Jun-1969
	07-Jun-1969	08-Jun-1969
XI. Vietnam, Summer-Fall 1969	09-Jun-1969	14-Jun-1969
	11-Jul-1969	23-Jul-1969
	25-Aug-1969	07-Sep-1969
	06-Oct-1969	22-Oct-1969
XII. Vietnam, Winter-Spring 1970	26-Nov-1969	30-Dec-1969
	10-Jan-1970	21-Jan-1970
	11-Feb-1970	15-Feb-1970
	22-Mar-1970	27-Mar-1970
	05-Apr-1970	14-Apr-1970
XIII. Sanctuary Counter-offensive	24-May-1970	30-May-1970
	11-Jun-1970	17-Jun-1970
XIV. Vietnam Counter-offensive VII	22-Jul-1970	07-Aug-1970
	22-Sep-1970	08-Oct-1970
	23-Nov-1970	08-Dec-1970
	10-Jan-1971	18-Jan-1971
	08-Feb-1971	16-Feb-1971
	24-Mar-1971	09-Apr-1971
	15-May-1971	22-May-1971
	30-May-1971	07-Jun-1971
XV. Consolidation I	12-Jul-1971	18-Jul-1971
	26-Aug-1971	06-Sep-1971
	25-Oct-1971	16-Nov-1971
XVI. Consolidation II	01-Dec-1971	02-Dec-1971
	28-Jan-1972	05-Feb-1972
	14-Feb-1972	01-Mar-1972
XVII. Vietnam Ceasefire Campaign	07-Apr-1972	02-May-1972
	09-May-1972	05-Jun-1972
	27-Jun-1972	21-Jul-1972
	29-Sep-1972	16-Oct-1972
	23-Oct-1972	31-Oct-1972
	25-Nov-1972	06-Dec-1972
	20-Feb-1973	01-Mar-1973

The following table lists all Vietnam War campaigns:

Campaign	From	To
I. Vietnam Advisory Campaign	15-Mar-1962	07-Mar-1965
II. Vietnam Defense Campaign	08-Mar-1965	24-Dec-1965
III. Vietnam Counter-offensive	25-Dec-1965	30-Jun-1966
IV. Vietnam Counter-offensive II	01-Jul-1966	31-May-1967
V. Vietnam Counter-offensive III	01-Jun-1967	29-Jan-1968
VI. Tet Counter-offensive	30-Jan-1968	01-Apr-1968
VII. Vietnam Counter-offensive IV	02-Apr-1968	30-Jun-1968
VIII. Vietnam Counter-offensive V	01-Jul-1968	01-Nov-1968
IX. Vietnam Counter-offensive VI	02-Nov-1968	22-Feb-1969
X. Tet 69 Counter-offensive	23-Feb-1969	08-Jun-1969
XI. Vietnam, Summer-Fall 1969	09-Jun-1969	31-Oct-1969
XII. Vietnam, Winter-Spring 1970	01-Nov-1969	30-Apr-1970
XIII. Sanctuary Counter-offensive	01-May-1970	30-Jun-1970
XIV. Vietnam Counter-offensive VII	01-Jul-1970	30-Jun-1971
XV. Consolidation I	01-Jul-1971	30-Nov-1971
XVI. Consolidation II	01-Dec-1971	29-Mar-1972
XVII. Vietnam Ceasefire Campaign	30-Mar-1972	28-Jan-1973
XVIII. Operation FREQUENT WIND	29-Apr-1975	30-Apr-1975

---

Humanitarian Service Medal

"The Humanitarian Service Medal (HSM) is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, subsequent to 1 April 1975, distinguish themselves as individuals or as members of U.S. military units by meritorious, direct, nonroutine participation in a significant military act or operation of a humanitarian nature. The following types of military acts or operations may qualify for award of the HSM:
(c) Evacuation of personnel from an area threatened by a hostile force."

The Oklahoma City was approved for this award for the following period (Operation FREQUENT WIND):

From	To
29-Apr-1975	30-Apr-1975

---

Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation - Gallantry

Also known as Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation.

"Awarded by the Chief of the Joint General Staff, Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces: Gallantry Cross Color with Palm and Frame (8 February 1962 to 28 March 1973). SECNAV has specifically authorized certain units of the Naval service to accept and wear these awards. Such authorization is required in all cases for participation."

The Oklahoma City was approved for this award for the following periods:

From	To
21-Mar-1966	-
30-May-1966	-
08-Dec-1968	-
10-Dec-1968	11-Dec-1968
13-Feb-1969	15-Feb-1969
20-Feb-1969	21-Feb-1969
25-Feb-1969	27-Feb-1969
01-Mar-1969	03-Mar-1969
07-Apr-1969	-
11-Apr-1969	15-Apr-1969
17-Apr-1969	-
21-May-1969	26-May-1969
09-Jun-1969	10-Jun-1969
13-Jun-1969	-
19-Jul-1969	21-Jul-1969
01-Sep-1969	06-Sep-1969
29-Mar-1972	01-Jan-1973

---

Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

1 March 1961 - 28 March 1973

"Established by Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces ... to recognize service performed in Vietnam during the period 1 March 1961 to 28 March 1973, inclusive. ... U.S. Armed Forces personnel are eligible for the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal [who] Served a cumulative six months outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam, but contributing direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces during such period. Only those personnel who meet the criteria established for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Vietnam) or the Vietnam Service Medal are considered to have contributed direct combat support."

---

In addition to the awards to the ship and the entire crew, numerous awards were made to individual crew members including:

• Legion of Merit
• Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V"
• Bronze Star Medal
• Meritorious Service Medal
• Navy Commendation Medal
• Navy Achievement Medal
• Combat Action Ribbon
• Presidential Unit Citation
• Navy Unit Commendation
• Meritorious Unit Commendation
• Good Conduct Medal
• Expert Pistol Award
• Sharpshooter Pistol Award
• Vietnamese Meritorious Unit Citation Gallantry Cross with Palm
• Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star
• Vietnamese Navy Meritorious Service Medal
• Vietnamese Armed Forces Honor Medal First Class
• Vietnamese Armed Forces Honor Medal Second Class
• Vietnamese National Order of Vietnam, Fifth Class
• Vietnamese Technical Service Medal, Second Class