trying to get the info on the stripes on the right sleeve. are they for time just overseas or overseas in combat? my father was in army from 1946-1968 and spent over 13 of those years overseas. iam putting display together and would like to know how many of these i should have if any. i have his service stripes(7), just would to settle this issue. thank you for any help you can give
The right side stripes (Overseas Service Bars) are for service in particular locations overseas at particular times, not just any overseas assignment and not necessarily actual combat.
Below are the authorized locations/times for Overseas Service Bars. Although it is from the current Regulation, the dates and periods should not have changed since your father served:
(1) One overseas service bar is authorized for each 6–month period of active Federal service as a member of a U.S. Service outside CONUS, from 7 December 1941 until 2 September 1946, both dates inclusive. In computing overseas service, Alaska is considered outside CONUS. An overseas service bar is not authorized for a fraction of a 6–month period. (2) One overseas service bar is authorized for each 6–month period of active Federal service as a member of a U.S. Service in Korea, from 27 June 1950 until 27 July 1954, both dates inclusive. Credit toward an overseas service bar is authorized for each month of active Federal service as a member of the U.S. Army serving in the designated hostile fire area in Korea from 1 April 1968 until 31 August 1973. The months of arrival to, and departure from the hostile fire pay area are counted as whole months. When credit is given for a month for hostile fire pay, credit for a corresponding month is given toward an overseas service bar. (3) One overseas service bar is authorized for each 6–month period active Federal service as a member of a U.S. Service in Vietnam, from 1 July 1958 to 28 March 1973. The months of arrival to, and departure from Vietnam are counted as whole months for credit toward the overseas service bar. Periods of TDY service in Vietnam where credit is given for hostile fire pay for 1 month, also may be given credit for a corresponding month towards award of an overseas service bar. (4) One overseas service bar is authorized for each 6–month period of Federal service as a member of a U.S. Service in the Dominican Republic, from 29 April 1965 to 21 September 1966, both dates inclusive. (5) One overseas service bar is authorized for each 6–month period of Federal service as a member of a U.S. Service in Laos, from 1 January 1966 to 28 March 1973.
From the information provided, it does not appear he served in any of the eligible periods/places.
