HR 4622119th CongressIn Committee

To provide for eligibility for veterans of Operation End Sweep for the Vietnam Service Medal.

Introduced: Jul 22, 2025

Sponsor: Rep. Wied, Tony [R-WI-8] (R-Wisconsin)

Veterans Affairs

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This bill would authorize awarding the Vietnam Service Medal to veterans who participated in Operation End Sweep. Specifically, it allows the Secretary of the appropriate military department to grant the medal to an individual veteran who took part in End Sweep, upon that veteran’s application. In short, it creates a pathway for those who served in End Sweep to receive the Vietnam Service Medal, but the award is not automatic—you must apply, and the decision rests with the relevant military department. For context, Operation End Sweep was a mid-1970s U.S. Navy operation to clear mines from certain areas of Vietnam’s coastal waters. The bill aims to recognize the service of those who participated in that operation by extending eligibility for the Vietnam Service Medal.

Key Points

1The bill authorizes, not mandates, an award of the Vietnam Service Medal to veterans who participated in Operation End Sweep.
2The award is conditional on the veteran submitting an application to the Secretary of the military department concerned.
3The authority to award rests with the Secretary of the applicable military department (e.g., Army, Navy, Air Force).
4The provision applies specifically to veterans who participated in Operation End Sweep, expanding eligibility for this medal to that group.
5The bill was introduced in the House by Representative Wied and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Veterans who participated in Operation End Sweep and meet the usual criteria for the Vietnam Service Medal (i.e., the act clarifies eligibility and sets up an application-based process).Secondary group/area affected: Families and communities of End Sweep veterans, who may recognize the veterans’ service through the medal.Additional impacts: Administrative process and potential modest administrative costs for processing applications and awarding the medal; no new funding or large-scale program changes are explicitly established in the bill. The action would formalize recognition within existing awards programs without creating a new entitlement.

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