Criteria for the wear of Vietnam Service Medals

Devices

"M" DEVICE, HOURGLASS & ARABIC NUMERALS
(Worn on the Armed Forces Reserve Medal)
-- The "M" device denotes member has performed active-duty service in support of a call-up or a designated contingency operation on or after Aug. 1, 1990.
-- The Arabic numerals are worn to denote participation in additional contingencies.
-- The Hourglass device denotes service longevity: bronze for 10 years; silver for 20; gold for 30; and bronze and gold for 40. 

BRONZE STAR
The bronze star represents participation in campaign or operations, multiple qualifications, or an additional award to any of the various ribbons on which authorized.

SILVER STAR
The silver star is worn in the same manner as the bronze star, but each silver star is worn in lieu of five bronze stars.

BRONZE & SILVER STARS
When worn together on a single ribbon, the silver star will be worn to the wearer's right of any bronze star or stars.

THE VALOR DEVICE
The "V" device represents valor and does not denote an additional award.  Only one may be worn on any ribbon.

BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTER
The bronze oak leaf cluster represents second and subsequent entitlements of awards.

SILVER OAK LEAF CLUSTER
The silver oak leaf cluster is worn for the sixth, 11th, etc., entitlements or in lieu of five bronze oak leaf clusters.

BRONZE & SILVER OAK LEAF CLUSTERS
Silver oak leaf clusters are worn to the wearer's right of the bronze oak leaf clusters on the same ribbon.

VALOR DEVICES
& CLUSTERS
The "V" device, when worn on the same ribbon with clusters, is worn to the wearer's right of such cluster.