Operation Junction City Campaign Badge (1967)

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The inscription reads CHEIN THANG (Victory) with “US Junction City” at the bottom. This badge is unique in the fact that it uses the English language which adds to it’s rarity and value.
Generally found in poor condition I was rather suprised to find this image with the enamel/paintwork mostly intact. The reverse is plain with the usual, rather fragile pin attachment device.

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Operation Junction City was a 82-day military operation conducted by U.S. and Republic of Vietnam (RVN or South Vietnam) forces begun on 22 February 1967 during the Vietnam Conflict. It was the largest U.S. airborne operation since Operation Market Garden during the Second World War, the only major airborne operation in the Vietnam War, and was one of the largest U.S. operations of the Southeast Asian conflict.
Junction City was a massive search and destroy operation, conducted in hopes of clearing People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) and National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam (NLF or derogatively, Viet Cong) units from the area of War Zone C, northeast of the South Vietnamese capital of Saigon. Another goal of the operation was the possible capture or destruction of the PAVN/NLF Central Office for South Vietnam (COSVN). This headquarters controlled all enemy activities south of the triborder region of Laos, Cambodia, and South Vietnam. The operation was considered largely successful by the U.S. command, although PAVN/NLF units returned to the area once allied forces were withdrawn. COSVN itself withdrew to the safety of Cambodian territory, where it remained for the rest of the U.S. commitment to the Southeast Asian conflict.