H.R. 5939: USMC Helicopter Support in Vietnam Congressional Gold Medal Act

This bill, known as the USMC Helicopter Support in Vietnam Congressional Gold Medal Act, aims to honor United States Marines and Navy Corpsmen who were involved in helicopter support operations during the Vietnam War by awarding them a Congressional Gold Medal. The key components of the bill include:

Short Title

The bill is formally known as the USMC Helicopter Support in Vietnam Congressional Gold Medal Act.

Findings

The bill outlines the significant contributions of the Marines and Navy Corpsmen who served in Vietnam, providing statistics on their deployment and the critical roles they played during the conflict:

• About 391,000 U.S. Marines and 10,000 Navy Corpsmen served in Vietnam.
• Approximately 90% of these service members were part of the First or Third Marine Divisions, while the remaining served in the First Marine Air Wing.
• The First Marine Air Wing had 25 helicopter squadrons deployed during the Vietnam War, significantly contributing to various missions.

Gold Medal Award

The legislation authorizes the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation of a gold medal to honor the Medevac Marines and Navy Corpsmen. This medal recognizes their heroic military service, which was instrumental in saving lives and contributing to the defense of the United States.

Design and Presentation

The Secretary of the Treasury is tasked with designing and striking the gold medal, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, to ensure it accurately represents the contributions of those receiving it.

Display of the Medal

After the award, the medal shall be given to the National Museum of the United States Navy. The museum will display the medal and make it available for research. Furthermore, the bill encourages the museum to display the medal in various appropriate locations associated with the Vietnam War.

Duplicate Medals

The bill allows for the Secretary to strike and sell bronze duplicates of the gold medal to cover production costs. Proceeds from these sales will support the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

Status of Medals

Medals created under this act are classified as national medals and numismatic items, ensuring they are recognized for their historical and monetary value.

Funding Authority

The bill authorizes the use of funds from the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund to cover the costs associated with the striking of the gold medal.

Relevant Companies

None found.