Decorations Awarded to Christian Eugene Wentworth
for Service to his country in Vietnam
by United States Army

(updated 09/20/05)

 

Gene didn't speak much about his decorations. He felt fortunate to be alive after 2 years in country (6 months driving a truck and digging gun emplacements and 18 months in the air as a door gunner).

According to Earl Wilson who also served as a door gunner with Gene in the170th AHC, "... [he] had a lot more air medals, Like 15 or more".  Earl notes that Gene also received the Combat Infantryman Badge ( CIB ), And the Vietnam Palm Leaf Medal In 1968.  (not shown).

#1 and #2 Air Medals given by order of the President for 25 hours of combat flight time over enemy territory. We have the letters that accompanied these. One letter notes the span of time for which the medal was awarded as being 4 days. Instituted in 1942, the Air Medal is awarded to all branches for heroic actions or meritorious service while participating in an aerial flight.


#3 National Defense Service Medal
Instituted in 1953, awarded to all branches for any honorable active
duty service during 1950 to 1954, 1961 to 1974 or 1990 to 1995.


#4 Army Good Conduct Medal
Instituted: 1941 for exemplary conduct, efficiency and fidelity during three years of active enlisted service with the U.S. Army (1 Year during wartime).


#5 Vietnam Service Medal
Instituted in 1965, awarded to all branches for service in Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, or Cambodia during 1965 to 1973.


Please contact Bill Wentworth if you can help with the effort to secure Gene's Purple Heart.
bill@webreserve.com

Reference: http://www.viethero.com/medals/medal.htm