The Merchant Marine Defense Medal (Bar) is a decoration of the United States Merchant Marine. The decoration was established by an Act of Congress on August 14, 1944.
Conditions
The decoration is awarded to members of the Merchant Marine who served aboard United States merchant ships between September 8, 1939 and December 7, 1941.
Design
Prior to 1992, the Merchant Marine Defense Medal was a ribbon-only decoration; otherwise known as the Merchant Marine Defense Bar.
On May 19, 1992, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced the availability of new medals for civilian merchant seamen, in recognition of their service in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. The medals are being issued to supplement war zone ribbon bars previously awarded to civilian mariners who supported the nation's armed forces in these wars.
The new medal design consists of:
The shield and anchor, from the United States Maritime Service Seal, are superimposed in a ship's wheel, denoting control and maritime service. The laurel branches symbolize achievement and excellence.
See also
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Awards and decorations of the United States government
Awards and decorations of the United States government are Civil awards and decorations, civilian awards of the Federal government of the United States, U.S. federal government which are typically issued for sustained meritorious service, in a civ ...
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Awards and Decorations of the United States Maritime Administration
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Awards and decorations of the United States Merchant Marine
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Awards and decorations of the United States military
Various medals, service ribbons, United States military award devices, ribbon devices, and specific Military badges of the United States, badges recognize military service and personal accomplishments of members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Such awa ...
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American Defense Service Medal
The American Defense Service Medal was a United States service medals of the World Wars, military award of the United States Armed Forces, established by , by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, on June 28, 1941.
The medal was intended to recogniz ...
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Coast and Geodetic Survey Defense Service Medal
References
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External links
Laws Establishing Merchant Marine Medals
Awards and decorations of the United States Merchant Marine
1944 establishments in the United States
Awards established in 1944
United States service medals