Due to the global war which was World War 2 that engulfed the world, the idea of a single campaign medal was deemed inappropriate. Therefore campaign medals were authorised for three distinct areas of the globe. On November 6th 1942 President Roosevelt signed executive order 9265 for 3 campaign medals to be issued due to the number of operations and battles to be fought during the conflict. The 3 medals issued were the American Campaign, European-African-Middle East Campaign (EAME) and Asiatic-Pacific Campaign.
The American Campaign medal was for operations and service within territorial waters of the continental North and South America and covered parts of the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic Ocean but not Mainland Alaska. The EAME Campaign Medal was for operations and service within the European theatre and also North Africa and the Middle East, covering an area from the West of Greenland to a point East of Iran. The Pacific Campaign Medal was for operations and service from the Middle East across the Indian, Pacific and Arctic Oceans up to the Border between Alaska and Canada.
European African Middle East Campaign Medal:
Established November 6th 1942 and Issued initially as a ribbon for service during WW2 in the European, African and Middle East Campaign. A medal was later issued for service from December 7th 1941 to November 8th 1945.
The medal was awarded for service in 9 campaigns:
1. North Africa, allied landings.
2. Sicily, allied landings.
3. Salerno, allied landings.
4. Italy West Coast, (Anzio) allied landings.
5. D Day Normandy.
6. North East Greenland Ops.
7. Southern France, allied landings.
8. Malta, Convoys.
9. Escort, Anti submarine, Armed Guard and Special Operations.
US Mint issued EAME medal for US Navy with 3 bronze battle stars. Early Issue Navy and Coast Guard Medals were manufactured by the US Mint and had the slot loop brooch suspender. All US mint made medals from this time period had a lot thicker planchet than say Medallic Arts issued EAME campaign medals.
Devices that could be awarded with the ribbon and medal:
Army & US Army Air Force: Bronze Arrowhead (Glider, parachute, or amphibious landing assault), Bronze Service Star (Second award or participation in a major operation), Silver Star (in lieu of 5 bronze stars).
Navy: Marine Corp Device ( Combat service with US marine Corp), Bronze Service Star (Second award or participation in a major operation), Silver Star (in lieu of 5 bronze stars).
US Marine Corp & Coast Guard: Bronze Service Star (Second award or participation in a major operation), Silver Star (in lieu of 5 bronze stars).
Service ribbon with 2 bronze stars indicating additional awards or involvement in 2 campaigns.
Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal:
Issued for service in the Pacific Asiatic theatre from December 7th 1941 to March 2nd 1946. Conditions for this award are the same as the EAME Medal with the following devices: Army & US Army Air Force: Bronze Arrowhead. Navy: Marine Corp Device. All services Bronze & Silver Star.
The campaigns recognised for this award were 16 for the Army and 43 for the Navy & marine Corp from Pearl Harbor to Okinawa and included the island hopping campaigns of Tarawa, Saipan, Iwo Jima etc plus the Aleutian Islands and the Army Airforce Bombing Campaign of Mainland Japan. Also the liberation of the Philippines, Battle for the Coral Sea and The Battle of Midway to name but a few.
Established November 6th 1942 and designed by the Army Heraldic Section this US Mint issued Asiatic Pacific Campaign medal has the slot loop suspender and the Marine Corp device with a Bronze star attachment. Other manufacturers include Medallic Arts Co, N.Y.C.
American Campaign Medal:
Established November 6th 1942 (same as the EAME and Pacific medals) and Issued for service within the continental limits of the United States from December 7th 1941 to March 2nd 1946. The medal was also awarded for service outside of the continental limits of the United States but within the American Theatre of Operations for 30 consecutive or 60 non consecutive days of service. All three campaign medals were designed by the Army Heraldic Section and were issued by the US Mint and other manufacturers such as Heckthorn MFG of Littleton, Colorado.
All three of these medals have the same reverse with the American Eagle and dates 1941-1945.
Ribbons for the above 3 medals.
Boxed US Mint issued EAME medal for the US Navy.
Resource used:
The Call of Duty, (R James Bender Publishing 1994) John E Sandberg & Roger James Bender.
American War Medals & Decorations. (Viking Press, New York. Leo Cooper Ltd, 1st UK Edition 1973) Evans E Kerrigan.
US Military Medals 1939 to Present (Medals of America Press 1998, Fountain Inn, SC) Col. Frank Foster & Mr. Lawrence Borts.
usmilawards.uk 