American Campaign Medal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids American Campaign Medal |
|
|---|---|
American Campaign Medal
|
|
| Awarded by Department of War and Department of the Navy | |
| Type | Service medal |
| Eligibility | U.S. military service in the American Theater for at least 30 days outside the U.S. or 1 year inside the U.S. between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946. |
| Status | Inactive |
| Statistics | |
| First awarded | December 7, 1941 |
| Last awarded | March 2, 1946 |
| Precedence | |
| Equivalent | Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal |
| Next (lower) | World War II Victory Medal |
 .png){kind=small} Service ribbon and campaign streamer |
|
The American Campaign Medal is a special award given to members of the United States Armed Forces. It was first created on November 6, 1942, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This medal recognized military members who served in the American Theater of Operations during World War II.
Contents
What is the American Campaign Medal?
The American Campaign Medal is a type of military award. It was created to honor those who served in the United States or nearby areas during World War II. This medal shows that a person helped protect the American homeland during the war.
Why Was This Medal Created?
President Franklin D. Roosevelt created this medal in 1942. The main reason was to recognize the important service of military personnel. These individuals were protecting the United States from possible attacks. They also helped prepare for and support the war efforts overseas.
Who Received This Medal?
To get the American Campaign Medal, a person had to serve in the military between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946. This period covers almost all of World War II.
There were different ways to qualify:
- Serving for at least 30 days outside the United States. This included places like Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean.
- Serving for at least one year inside the United States. This could be anywhere within the 48 states at the time.
- Being part of a combat mission against the enemy.
- Being a passenger on a ship that was attacked by the enemy.
This medal was given to many thousands of soldiers, sailors, and airmen. It honored their dedication and service during a very important time in history.
How Does the Medal Look?
The American Campaign Medal has a unique design. On the front, it shows an American eagle. The eagle is standing on a cannon and holding an olive branch. This design represents strength and peace. Behind the eagle, there is a battleship and a B-24 Liberator bomber plane. These show the naval and air forces.
The back of the medal has an eagle with its wings spread. It is standing on a rock. Around the eagle, it says "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1941-1945". This marks the years of the war.
The medal hangs from a special ribbon. The ribbon has blue, white, and red stripes. These colors represent the United States flag. The ribbon also has two thin blue stripes on the sides. These symbolize the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
See also
In Spanish: Medalla de la Campaña Americana para niños
