Other World War II Awards
This exhibit also includes four medals that are representative of the awards that would have been granted to soldiers and sailors who served in World War II.
Navy Cross Medal
The Navy Cross Medal is the second highest decoration of the United States military and it is the highest presented by the Department of the Navy. It is meant to recognize any member of the Armed Forces who, while serving in active combat with members of the Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard, has performed an exceedingly heroic act in the face of great personal danger that did not warrant a Medal of Honor. The action must have taken place under one of the following circumstances: while serving in active combat against enemy forces; while participating in a military operation against armed enemy forces; or while serving in armed conflict alongside allied forces against an opposing force when the United States is not the aggressor.
American Campaign Medal - WW II
The American Campaign Medal - WW II is granted to personnel who served one year of consecutive duty between December 7, 1941 to March 2, 1946 and within the continental boarders of the U.S., as well as to those who served 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days of duty outside the borders of the U.S. but within the American Theater of Operations. The American Theater encompasses all of the U.S., most of the Atlantic Ocean, a portion of Alaska, and a small section of the Pacific bordering California and Baja California. The ACM was first created on November 6, 1942 and was originally issued as the "American Theater Ribbon" for those who served in the American Theater of Operations during World War II.
European - African - Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
The European - African - Middle Eastern Campaign Medal is a military award that recognizes the service of U.S. Armed Forces personnel who performed military duty in the European Theater during World War II. Created on November 6th, 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Executive Order 9265, it was originally just a ribbon and there was not a full sized medal until 1947. The first recipient of the medal was General of the Army Dwight Eisenhower. There are 19 approved campaigns for the award. Multiple campaign awards are denoted with a bronze star device. Other approved devices for the award are an Arrowhead Device awarded for airborne or amphibious operations and the Fleet Marine Force device for certain sailors.
World War II Victory Medal
The World War II Victory Medal is presented to all members of the U.S. military who served in active duty or as a reserve during the period of December 7, 1941 - December 31, 1946.