Merchant Marine World War II Victory Medal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Merchant Marine World War II Victory Medal |
|
|---|---|
 
The front (left) and back sides of the medal.
|
|
| Type | Individual award |
| Eligibility | Merchant mariners |
| Awarded for | Service during World War II |
| Campaign(s) | World War II (1941-1945) |
| Statistics | |
| Established | August 8, 1946 |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Merchant Marine Pacific War Zone Medal |
| Equivalent | World War II Victory Medal |
| Next (lower) | Merchant Marine Korean Service Medal |
 The ribbon for the medal. |
|
The Merchant Marine World War II Victory Medal is a special award. It honors people who served in the United States Merchant Marine during World War II. This medal was officially created on August 8, 1946, by a law from the U.S. Congress.
Contents
Who Earned This Medal?
This medal was given to brave officers and crew members. They had to serve on American merchant ships. These ships carried important supplies during the war. To earn the medal, they needed to serve for at least 30 days. Their service had to be between December 7, 1941, and September 2, 1945. This period covers most of World War II.
What Does the Medal Look Like?
The medal is a round bronze disc. It hangs from a colorful ribbon. The ribbon has wide red stripes on its edges. It also has a red stripe in the middle. Between the red stripes are narrow stripes of yellow, green, blue, and white.
The Front of the Medal
On the front of the medal, you can see a woman. She stands on the ocean. In her right hand, she holds a trident, which is like a three-pronged spear. In her left hand, she holds an olive branch. An olive branch is a symbol of peace. The words "WORLD" and "WAR II" are also on the front.
The Back of the Medal
The back of the medal shows an anchor inside a rope circle. Around this, a ribbon is wrapped. On the ribbon, there are three Latin words: "FIRMITAS", "ADVERSARIA", and "SUPERAT". These words mean "The strength to overcome an adversary." This phrase reminds us of the challenges faced during the war. Around the very edge of the back, it says "UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE 1941-1945."
The artist who designed this medal was John R. Sinnock.
See Also
- Awards and decorations of the United States Merchant Marine
- World War II Victory Medal (United States)
