Vietnam, Democratic Republic (North Vietnam). A Ho Chi Minh Badge, Awarded for Shooting Down an American Plane, c.1965

(Huy Hiệu Hồ Chí Minh). In aluminum with a copper-colored wash and red paint, illustrating the left-facing bust of President Ho Chi Minh framed within sheafs of plants, with other plant life under the bust, a gear at the bottom above a ribbon banner bearing the inscription "VIET-NAM / DÂN CHỦ CỘNG HÒA" (Vietnam / Democratic Republic), measuring 39.2 mm (w) x 40.5 mm (h), with pinback, very light wear, near extremely fine. Accompanied by a black and white photograph of the President of the State Council, Truong Chinh, awarding the Ho Chi Minh Badge to pilot Do Van Lanh, measuring 72 mm (w) x 100 mm (h). 

Footnote: The Ho Chi Minh Badge was awarded (on numerous occasions prior to his death by Uncle Ho himself) to PAVN (People’s Army of Vietnam) pilots for shooting down United States aircraft. From its humble beginnings in 1955 as the Air Studies Bureau, the People's Air Force (Quan Khong Nhan Dan) grew steadily with the aid of the Soviets and Chinese into a creditable military air component of PAVN. During the early stages of the war, PAVN pilots trained at Soviet and Chinese bases. Pilots such as Nguyen Van Coc (nine kills), Nguyen Van Bay (seven kills) and Pham Thanh Ngan (seven kills) were among the PAVN aces. This special Ho Chi Minh Badge was also awarded on a much more limited basis to PAVN and Viet Cong ground forces for other conspicuous deeds involving the destruction or annihilation of enemy forces. As an example, Nguyen Duc Chuyen was awarded the Huy Hieu Ho Chi Minh when his scouting company repelled an enemy battalion, "annihilating" eighteen of them, on December 20, 1968. PAVN Infantry Senior Captain Bui Quang Than was also awarded the badge for his battlefield accomplishments against the enemy.