United States: Merchant Marine Defense Medal 1939-1941

Medal riband fitted with original crimp-brooch with intricate hinged pin & drop latch clasp fitting. The reverse of mounting brooch with makers hallmark 'Graco-GI' indented on it.

The Merchant Marine Defense Medal is a decoration of the United States Merchant Marine. The decoration was established by an Act of Congress on August 14, 1944, originally as a service riband bar, but in 1992, the award was upgraded to be a medal

On May 19, 1992, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced the availability of new medals for civilian merchant seamen, in recognition of their service in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. The medals are being issued to supplement war zone ribbon bars previously awarded to civilian mariners who supported the nation's armed forces in these wars

The award criteria for this medal is to personnel of the Merchant Marine who served aboard United States merchant ships between September 8, 1939 and December 7, 1941

Condition: EF

Code: 21343