1979 15c Vietnam Veterans

U.S. #1802
1979 15¢ Vietnam Veterans
Issue Date: November 11, 1979
City: Washington, D.C.
Quantity: 172,740,000
Printed By: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Photogravure
Perforations: 11
Color: Multicolored

Issued on Veteran's Day in 1979 to honor the brave soldiers who fought in the Vietnam War, this stamp pictures the ribbon of the Vietnam Service Medal.

Issued on November 11, 1979, this 15¢ U.S. commemorative stamp was created to honor Vietnam War veterans and coincided with Veterans Day, underscoring its purpose as a national tribute. Rather than depicting a battle scene or individual figure, the design takes a restrained, symbolic approach, reflecting a broader effort in the late 1970s to formally recognize Vietnam veterans and their service.

The stamp’s central image is the Vietnam Service Medal ribbon, which represents the decoration awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who served in Vietnam and surrounding areas between 1965 and 1973. Displaying the ribbon emphasizes service and duty over conflict, making it an especially meaningful emblem for veterans and collectors alike. Its inclusion gives the stamp lasting significance as both a postal issue and a visual acknowledgment of military service during the Vietnam era.