American Campaign Medal – United States WWII
A good example of the American Campaign Medal, awarded to United States military personnel who served within the American Theatre of Operations during the Second World War. Created in 1942, the medal recognised service between 7 December 1941 and 2 March 1946, whether on home defence, coastal operations, anti-submarine patrols, or overseas duties within the wider American theatre.
The medal is struck in bronze and features a detailed wartime scene on the obverse: a U.S. Navy cruiser underway with a B-24 Liberator flying overhead, a sinking enemy submarine in the foreground, and the silhouette of a coastal city behind. The reverse carries the American eagle with the dates 1941–1945 and the inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”, a design shared with the Asiatic-Pacific and European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medals. The ribbon displays a striking combination of blue, white, black, scarlet and old-glory colours, symbolising coastal defence, the Atlantic and Pacific naval campaigns, and the wider American theatre of operations.
Award criteria covered a broad range of wartime duties: one year’s service within the continental United States, or at least 30 days outside it, including service at sea, anti-submarine warfare, or temporary duty in operational areas. U.S. Navy personnel who took part in convoy escort or anti-U-boat operations could receive bronze service stars for participation in designated campaigns. The medal was often issued alongside the World War II Victory Medal and, where appropriate, theatre-specific awards.
A clean and presentable example of this classic American WWII campaign medal, representing the contribution of U.S. forces to the defence of the Western Hemisphere and the struggle against Axis submarines along the Atlantic seaboard.
AJMS Medals