Product Details
American Defense Service Award box set consist of the large medal and ribbon mounted inside the presentation box.
The American Defense Service Medal is a decoration of the United States military, recognizing service before America's entry into the Second World War but during the initial years of the European conflict.
The medal is authorized to military members who performed active duty between September 8, 1939 and December 7, 1941. Members of the United States Army received this medal for any length of service during the eligibility period, provided that they were on orders to active duty for a period of twelve months or longer. The United States Navy excluded Reservists who were on active duty for less than ten days, but otherwise the Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Coast Guard awarded the medal to all personnel who served on active duty at any time during the eligibility period (provided they passed their initial physical examinations).
Devices
To denote foreign and pre-war battle service, the American Defense Service Medal was authorized with the following devices:
Foreign Service Clasp: Issued by the United States Army for military service outside the continental limits of the United States, including service in Alaska.
Base Clasp: Issued by the U.S. Navy and United States Marine Corps for service outside the continental limits of the United States (service in either Alaska or Hawaii qualified).
Fleet Clasp: Issued by the Navy, Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard for service on the high seas while regularly attached to any vessels of the Atlantic, Pacific, or Asiatic fleets as well as vessels of the Naval Transport Service and vessels operating directly under the Chief of Naval Operations.
Sea Clasp: Issued by the Coast Guard for all other vessels and aircraft, not qualifying for the Fleet Clasp, which regularly conducted patrols at sea.
"A" Device: Awarded to any member of the Navy who served duty in actual or potential belligerent contact with Axis Powers in the Atlantic Ocean between June 22 and December 7, 1941.
Service star: Worn in lieu of clasps when wearing the American Defense Service Medal as a ribbon on a military uniform.
