The Military Merit Medal was modeled after the French Médaille Militaire and was awarded mostly to enlisted men for valor in combat.

The Military Merit Medal was last issued to U.S. personnel in 1973 and was discontinued after the fall of South Vietnam in 1975.

The Meritorious citation for the posthumous award of the Military Merit Medal: "Servicemen of courage and rare self-sacrifice, they displayed at all times the most tactful cooperation while aiding the Armed Forces of the Republic of Vietnam to repel the Red wave undermining South Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

With a ready zeal and commendable responsibility, they fought on to the end in every mission and set a brilliant example for their fellow soldiers.

Many posthumous awards of the Military Merit Medal to American servicemen included the Vietnamese "Gallantry Cross with Palm".