Home Home
   Swat the Shopping Bug to view related military items!

WWII US American Defense Service Medal -
The American Defense Service Medal was authorized on February 28,1941 for award to members of the Armed Forces who served on active duty between September 8,1939 and December 7, 1941.
Army requirements were one year of service while the Navy required only ten days to be eligible for the award.

The medal shows a warrior holding a sword and a shield standing atop a brasnch with the words "American Defense" written across the top. The other side reads "For service during the limited emergency proclaimed by the president on September 8 1939 or during the unlimited emergency proclaimed by the president on May 27 1941." A seven leaf spray of laurel is placed below the words.

The ribbon has a yellow body with two sets of thin Blue, White and Red stripes running to each side. The example shown here is of stitch back construction.

The medal is authorized to military members who served on 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.[1] 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).




This page is a recognition and identification guide for WWII US medals and awards. Multiple detailed photos of a specific sample are provided. Descriptions point out clearly defined points that should be noted.

One of the most commonly asked questions is "How much is my WWII medal or insignia worth?". A price guide is included here to address this question. The value of the medals is reviewed over a period of several years. A trend can be observed. The present worth of US militaria in the collector's market is illustrated.

This service is provided free of charge to the visitor/enthusiast courtesy of MilitaryItems.com, a company dedicated to the preservation of military history and to providing quality military antiques and collectibles to museums, institutions and the general public.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?
  1. Identifying fakes and reproductions
  2. Stamps and manufacturing markings
  3. Pins, hinges and other
  4. Construction materials
  5. Perspective view
  6. Purchasing WWII US medals







Established June 28, 1941
First Awarded September 8, 1939 (retroactive)
Last awarded December 7, 1941





This US medal or insignia is currently being reproduced. It is becoming more difficult to be able to tell the fake ones from the real ones because the quality of the reproductions is improving. The collector must become familiarized with the construction style and materials employed in the manufacturing of this medal/insignia. Attention to the details is critical in order to be able to determine the authenticity of the collectible.



If you have an interest is seeing other WWII medals or insignia, you can do so by going to our WWII US medals and insignia identification guide. Where we cover Army, Navy, Army Air Force and other organizations.







PRICING GUIDE INFORMATION

The value for WWII US medals and other military antiques and collectibles is provided as a means to educate the collector community and individuals who have a general interest on the field. The following is an estimated value. Prices may vary in every state and every country. This service is provided courtesy of MilitaryItems.com. The source for military antiques and collectibles in the web.

Year 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Value $18.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $ $
Availability Common Common Common Common Common
Invest Grade B B B B B


While the item featured here is not for sale, similar items like it are available for purchase in our website MilitaryItems.com


 
� 1997 - 2022 MilitaryItems.com - All rights reserved.