Left middle is a freebie for global war on terrorism national defense. it's given to anyone who enlisted from like 2008 to just last year served during wartime. Also known as the McDonald's.
The dude is credible.
Edit: yeah I got the name wrong but it's a generic "you served during this time" type ribbon
Man has mentioned that during a mission in laos during Vietnam that his friends saved his life and are why he is alive today. Was giving a presentation about his service and said "they'll say we weren't there but we were." In the most matter o fact way.
Hearing an 80 year old vet say "he was my friend" through tears is something you never forget.
Unsure of after nam career. Has never come up naturally.
See, that anecdote makes me more skeptical. "Missions in Laos [or Cambodia] with no records" is a frequent trope for fake combat vets or real vets who are exaggerating their combat records. They lean on it, because few have the background to call them on their stories. It's easy to use it as a crutch and an excuse for missing documentation or lack of corroboration.
You can't go confusing the Rainbow Badge for the NDSM and pretend like they're the same thing. Kids these days don't even get one straight out of basic anymore!