USMC Helicopter Support in Vietnam Congressional Gold Medal Act

This bill authorizes the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to honor United States Marines and Navy Corpsmen who served as part of helicopter support missions during the Vietnam War. It recognizes their heroic service in saving countless lives and contributing to the defense of the United States. The legislation provides for the striking of a single gold medal to be given to the National Museum of the United States Navy for display and research, as well as the production and sale of bronze duplicate medals to the public.

The bill authorizes the Speaker of the House and President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation of a single Congressional Gold Medal to collectively honor the Medevac Marines and Navy Corpsmen of the Vietnam War [§3(a)]. After the award, the gold medal is to be given to the National Museum of the United States Navy for display and research [§3(1)]. The Secretary of the Treasury is directed to strike the gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense [§3(b)]. The legislation also authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell duplicate bronze medals at a price sufficient to cover production costs [§4]. All medals struck under this Act are designated as national medals for purposes of Chapter 51 of Title 31, United States Code [§5(a)], and are considered numismatic items under Sections 5134 and 5136 of Title 31 [§5(b)].

The Secretary of the Treasury is responsible for striking the gold medal in consultation with the Secretary of Defense. The National Museum of the United States Navy will receive and display the gold medal, with the sense of Congress that it should be made available for display at other locations associated with the Vietnam War, particularly those affiliated with the museum. The United States Mint is authorized to produce and sell bronze duplicate medals to the public. Costs for striking the medals may be charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund, with proceeds from the sale of duplicate medals to be deposited into the same fund. However, specific timelines, reporting requirements, and detailed implementation procedures are not specified in the available bill text.

The primary beneficiaries of this legislation are the United States Marines and Navy Corpsmen who served in helicopter support missions during the Vietnam War, as it provides national recognition for their service and sacrifices. The bill also benefits the general public by creating an opportunity to purchase commemorative bronze medals and learn about this aspect of military history through museum displays. The National Museum of the United States Navy gains a significant artifact for its collection. While specific cost estimates are not provided, the bill authorizes the use of the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund to cover production costs, with the sale of duplicate medals intended to offset these expenses. The administrative burden appears to be primarily on the United States Mint and the National Museum of the United States Navy, but the extent of this burden is not detailed in the available information.

The bill operates within the established legal framework for Congressional Gold Medals and the United States Mint's authority to produce national medals and numismatic items. It specifically references Chapter 51 of Title 31, United States Code, which governs the production of coins and medals by the United States Mint. The legislation does not appear to preempt state or local laws or create new regulatory frameworks. The constitutional basis for this action likely stems from Congress's power to coin money and regulate its value under Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, as well as its general authority to recognize and honor individuals or groups for their service to the nation.

While the bill appears straightforward in its intent to honor Vietnam War helicopter support personnel, there are potential implementation challenges and considerations. The design process for the medal, involving consultation between the Treasury and Defense Departments, may require careful coordination to appropriately represent the service being honored. There may be debates over which specific missions or units should be highlighted in the medal's design or accompanying materials. The bill's lack of specific timelines for implementation could potentially lead to delays in the medal's production and presentation. Additionally, while the use of the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund is authorized, there could be questions about the potential financial impact on the fund if sales of duplicate medals do not fully cover production costs. Opposition arguments, though not evident in the provided information, might include concerns about the selectivity of honoring this particular group of veterans over others or the appropriateness of using public funds for medal production.