The medal was created on August 15, 1950, and was awarded to military personnel, civilians, and Armed Forces units and organizations in recognition of deeds of valor or heroic conduct while in combat with the enemy.

Individuals who received the medal, ribbon, and a citation were personally cited at the Armed Forces, Corps, Division, Brigade or Regiment level.

[citation needed] U.S. Marine Corps uniform regulations in 2003 state the recipient should wear only one Gallantry Cross award (medal or ribbon bar) regardless of the number received.

The Gallantry Cross became the most commonly awarded Vietnamese decoration to foreigners, second only to the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Department of the Army message 111030Z from April 1974, established the policy that only one emblem for a unit award was authorized to be worn at a time.

[6] Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross color with Palm and Frame); RVN Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross) U.S. Navy and Marine Corps: In addition to specific ships/units, all personnel who served "in country" Vietnam, 8 February 1962 to 28 March 1973.

[7] The United States military began authorizing the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross in March 1968 with retroactive presentation of the decoration to 1961.

The Governor-General has formally approved the awarding of the Citation to identified Australian military units in recognition of their service during the Vietnam war.

Eligibility To be eligible for the Citation, Navy and Air Force members must have served in Vietnam under the operational control of United States Military Assistance Command Vietnam posted to one of the following units, during the eligible dates: Navy Clearance Diving Team Three from 5 February 1967 to 5 May 1971 RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnam from 16 October 1967 to 8 June 1971 RAN personnel in 9 Squadron from February 1968 to April 1969 (8 personnel) Air Force RAAF Transport Flight Vietnam/35 Squadron from August 1964 to February 1972 9 Squadron from June 1966 to December 1971 2 Squadron from 19 April 1967 to 15 July 1971 Base Support Flight Vietnam from 8 February 1962 to 28 March 1973 Number 1 Operational Support Unit from 8 February 1962 to 28 March 1973 Army The Governor-General has previously approved the following Army units to wear the insignia of the Citation for their service in Vietnam.

Australian Army Training Team Vietnam from 1 July 1962 to 31 October 1971 1RAR - Eligible personnel must have served in Vietnam under command of 173rd Airborne Brigade during 5 May 1965 to 31 May 1966 in one of the following units, within the eligible dates: 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment from 25 May 1965 to 31 May 1966 1st Armoured Personnel Carrier Troop RAAC from 15 June 1965 to 31 March 1966 105th Field Battery, RAA from 14 September 1965 to 31 May 1966 3rd Field Troop, RAE from 14 September 1965 to 31 March 1966 161st Reconnaissance Flight, AAAVN from 14 September 1965 to 31 May 1966 1st Australian Logistic Support Company from 25 May 1965 to 31 March 1966 Battery Section, 4th Field Regiment Light Aid Detachment RAEME (and redesignated in country to 105th Field Battery Section, 12th Field Regiment Light Aid Detachment RAEME) from 14 September 1965 to 31 March 1966 547 Signal Troop from 13 June 1966 to 23 December 1971 Strength of D Company 6RAR in Vietnam on 18 August 1966 8RAR from 28 November 1969 to 24 October 1970 Wearing The Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation is a singular device.