Brass Fortress Order.

[Taz]

This NLF Order was instituted on September 23rd, 1963.
Awarded in three classes to individuals and units for superior service in liberating the south.
The five-pointed gold star with a smaller central star is inscribed, THANH-DONG (Brass Fortress)
On September 2nd, 1977, the Council of Ministers authorised the granting of this Order to units and individuals, who played key roles in the Spring 1975 General Offensive and had not yet recieved an award for such service.

The image shows the third class of this Order, typical of North Vietnamese awards one star or stripe denotes the third class, two stars or stripes the second (or first with Orders and medals in only two classes) and three stars or stripes the first class.

Picture CO Dave Devine