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1.
Description: The bronze medal is 1 ¼ inches in width. On the
obverse is a female Grecian figure symbolic of defense, holding in her
sinister hand an ancient war shield in reverse and her dexter hand
brandishing a sword above her head, and standing upon a conventionalized
oak branch with four leaves. Around the top is the lettering "AMERICAN
DEFENSE". On the reverse is the wording "FOR SERVICE DURING THE LIMITED
EMERGENCY PROCLAIMED BY THE PRESIDENT ON SEPTEMBER 8,1939 OR DURING THE
UNLIMITED EMERGENCY PROCLAIMED BY THE PRESIDENT ON MAY 27,1941" above a
seven-leafed spray of laurel. The foreign service clasp is a Bronze bar
1/8 inch in width and 1-1/2 inches in length with the words "FOREIGN
SERVICE", with a star at each end of the inscription. The foreign service
clasp is placed on the suspension ribbon of the medal.
2.
Ribbon: The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide and consists of the
following stripes: 3/16 inch golden yellow 67104; 1/8 inch triparted old
glory blue 67178; white 67101; and scarlet 67111; center ¾ inch golden
yellow; 1/8 inch triparted scarlet; white; and old glory blue 67178; and
3/16 inch golden yellow.
3.
Criteria: The American Defense Service Medal was awarded to
personnel for active duty service from 8 September 1939 to 7 December 1941
for a period of twelve months or longer.
4.
Components: The following are authorized components:
a. Medal
(regular size): MIL-DTL-3943/228. Medal set with full size medal and
ribbon bar. NSN: 8455-00-269-5780.
b. Medal
(miniature): MIL-DTL-3943/228. Available commercially.
c. Ribbon:
MIL-DTL-11589/10. NSN: 8455-00-257-0513. Available commercially.
d. Foreign
Service Clasp: MIL-R-41819/9. NSN: 8455-00-249-0187.
5.
Background: a. The American Defense Service Medal was established
per Executive Order 8808, dated 28 June 1941, by President Franklin D.
Roosevelt and announced in War Department Bulletin 17, 1941. The criteria
was announced in Department of the Army Circular 44, dated 13 February
1942.
b. The ribbon
design was approved by the Secretary of War and the Secretary of Navy on
January 7, 1942. The golden yellow color was symbolic of the golden
opportunity of the youth of the United States to serve the National
colors, represented by the blue, white and red pin stripes on each side.
c. The medal
was designed by Mr. Lee Lawrie, a civilian sculptor from Easton, Maryland.
The model was approved by the Commission of Fine Arts on May 5, 1942.
d. The
foreign service clasp is worn on the suspension ribbon to indicate service
outside the Continental United States. A bronze star is worn on the
service ribbon in lieu of the foreign service clasp. |
