Merchant Marine Pacific War Zone

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 "the Pacific zone, including the North Pacific Ocean, South Pacific Ocean, and Indian Ocean east of eighty degrees east longitude".

2. The Medal
   Obverse
   The obverse displays a trident, one of the symbols of naval prowess, which rests upon a shaft of bamboo denoting the Pacific theater of operations. The seascape is suggestive of the maritime activities and service. Layered on top of the trident and bamboo are the words "PACIFIC 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 and drape are one and three-eighths inches wide with stripe colors as follows gold, interlaced yellow and gold, interlaced orange and old glory red, ultramarine blue, white, old glory red, white, ultramarine blue,  interlaced orange and old glory red, interlaced yellow and gold, gold.

3. Information from
   Medal, Pacific War Zone, U.S. Merchant Marine MIL-DTL-3943/219C 11 April 2022
   Ribbon, Pacific War Zone, U.S. Merchant Marine MIL-DTL-11589/363F 07 January 2020