World War II Victory Medal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids World War II Victory Medal |
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| Type | Service medal |
| Eligibility | Served in the armed forces between 7 December 1941 and 31 December 1946. |
| Status | Obsolete |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal |
| Equivalent | Merchant Marine World War II Victory Medal |
| Next (lower) | Army of Occupation Medal or Navy Occupation Service Medal |
  Service ribbon (top) and campaign streamer (bottom) |
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The World War II Victory Medal is a special service medal given to people who served in the United States military. It was created by the United States Congress on July 6, 1945. This medal recognizes everyone who was part of the armed forces during World War II. It is similar to the World War I Victory Medal from the first World War.
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History of the Medal
The World War II Victory Medal was officially created by a law from Congress on July 6, 1945. This law was called Public Law 135. The medal was designed by Thomas H. Jones. The Secretary of War approved the design on February 5, 1946.
At first, this award was only a service ribbon. It was known as the "Victory Ribbon." The full medal was not made until after World War II had ended.
Congress decided that the medal would be given to any member of the United States military. This included members of the armed forces from the Government of the Philippine Islands. They had to have served on active duty or as a reservist. Their service had to be between December 7, 1941, and September 2, 1945.
A separate medal was created later for the United States Merchant Marine. This was the Merchant Marine World War II Victory Medal. It was established on August 8, 1946.
Who Received the Medal?
The World War II Victory Medal was given to anyone who served between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946. There was no minimum time needed to serve. Some people even received the medal for just a few days of service.
World War II officially ended on September 2, 1945. However, President Harry S. Truman did not declare the end of hostilities until the last day of 1946. This meant some service members who joined after the fighting ended still received the medal. For example, cadets at military academies could get it.
Because almost everyone who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during this time was eligible, over twelve million people received it. This makes the World War II Victory Medal the second most awarded military medal in the United States. Only the National Defense Service Medal has been awarded more often.
What the Medal Looks Like
The medal is made of bronze and is about 1.5 inches wide. The front side shows a figure of "Liberation." This figure is standing and looking towards a new day. Her right foot rests on a war god's helmet. She holds a broken sword. The words WORLD WAR II are written below her.
The back side of the medal has words about the Four Freedoms. These are FREEDOM FROM FEAR AND WANT and FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND RELIGION. A palm branch separates these phrases. All of this is inside a circle with the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1941 1945.
The ribbon for the medal is about 1.375 inches wide. It has a colorful rainbow pattern on both sides. The middle of the ribbon is a bright red color. The rainbow design is a smaller version of the one used on the World War I Victory Medal.
Unlike the World War I Victory Medal, this medal did not have special clasps. Instead, separate campaign medals were awarded for different battles and areas.
Images for kids
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The back side of the World War II Victory Medal.
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An engraving of the medal at the National World War II Memorial.
See also
