Merchant Marine Atlantic War Zone Medal

BACK DEVICE(s)   none

Description:

1. Authorized by Public Law 100-324 in 1988.

2. Initially the award was only a ribbon bar pin that measured one and three-eighths inches long by one-half inch wide. The ribbon bar pin was authorized with the passage of Public Law 100-324 in 1988.

3. The medal suspension portion came about in 1992 and was attached to a medal drape of the same design pattern as the original ribbon bar pin..

4. Initially, by the public law mandate the ribbon bar pin was issued to each master, officer or member of the crew of any United States ship who served at any time during the period beginning September 8, 1939, and ending December 8, 1941.

5. This bar will not be issued subsequent to two years after the termination of the present war.

Background:

1. Public Law 100-324 defined the zone as the "Atlantic zone, including the North Atlantic Ocean, South Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, Barents Sea, and Greenland Sea;
2. The Medal
   Obverse
   The obverse is adorned with a compass rose which is traditionally associated with maritime navigation and the superimposed triangle representing duty and service other than in the Armed Forces. In the center of the triangle is the head of the eagle symbolizing the United States and freedom. Below the triangle are the words "ATLANTIC WAR ZONE".
   Reverse
   The reverse bears the words "UNITED STATES" in an arc around the top and the words "MERCHANT MARINE" in a counter arc across the bottom. In the center is the Mariner's Shield and anchor, from the United States Maritime Service Seal.
   Ribbon
   The ribbon is one and three-eighths inches long composed with colors cardinal red, interlaced scarlet and white, white, cardinal red, white, interlaced scarlet and white, cardinal red  
3. Information from
   Medal, Atlantic War Zone, U.S. Merchant Marine MIL-DTL-3943/218C 11 April 2022
   Ribbon, Atlantic War Zone, U.S. Merchant Marine MIL-DTL-11589/362F 07 January 2020