Merchant Marine Victory Medal

BACK DEVICE(s) none

Description:

1. Authorized by an Act of Congress on August 8, 1946.

2. This medal was awarded to officers and men of the U.S. Merchant Marine who served aboard American-flagged merchant ships for at least 30 days between December 7, 1941, and September 3, 1945.

Background:

1. The Medal
   Obverse
   The obverse displays presents Athena Nike holding a trident in her right hand and a laurel branch in her left as she is stepping onto the conning tower of a submarine.  Emblazoned across the obverse are the word "WORLD" which appears on Athena's right and the words "WAR II"  which appears on Athena's left. 
   Reverse
   The reverse bears a naval anchor with three stacked ribbons each inscribed with a single Latin word (from top to bottom) "FIRMITAS" "ADVERSARIA" "SUPERAT’ (which translates to "Firmness overcomes the adversary"). In an upward arc around the edge are the words "UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE".  In a counter arc across the bottom is "1941-1945".
   Ribbon
   The ribbon and drape are one and three-eighths inches wide with stripes as follows 9/32" Scarlet, 1/16" White, 1/8" Ultramarine Blue, 1/16" Mosstone Green, 1/16" Buff, 1/8" Scarlet, 1/16" Buff, 1/16" Mosstone Green, 1/8" Ultramarine Blue, 1/16" White, 9/32" Scarlet.

2. Information from
   Medal, World War II Victory, U.S. Merchant Marine MIL-DTL-3943/222C 11 April 2022
   Ribbon, World War II Victory, U.S. Merchant Marine MIL-DTL-11589/378D 07 January 2020