Awards of
World War IIThe American Defense Service Medal was developed to recognize those who served in a state of full combat readiness during the pre-war years.
Materials
Bronze.
Artists
Joseph Kisielewski, Lee Lawrie, Arthur DuBois.
Awarded to
Servicemen of all branches of the armed forces.
Reasons for awarding
Service in military units in the pre-war years in a state of full combat readiness.
Required criteria To be awarded the American Defense Medal, service was required for more than twelve months, from the President's declaration of national emergency on September 8, 1939, until the United States entered the war on December 7, 1941. History of the American Defense Service Medal The medal was established to recognize all those who served in U.S. military units in a state of full combat readiness at the outbreak of World War II in Europe. The medal is a disc depicting a female figure standing on a leafy oak branch. The woman is dressed in ancient clothing and a helmet, holding a shield in one hand and a sword in the other. The inscription "DEFENSE OF AMERICA" is located along the upper rim. On the reverse of the medal is the inscription "FOR SERVICE DURING THE SPECIAL STATE DECLARED BY THE PRESIDENT ON SEPTEMBER 8, 1939 OR DURING THE STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED BY THE PRESIDENT ON MAY 27, 1941." Below the inscription is a horizontal laurel branch. The medal is attached to a yellow ribbon with a loop, which has thin blue, white, and red stripes closer to the edges.