United States Antarctic Expedition Medal

THE  THREE FRONTS
BRONZE	SILVER	GOLD
The backs of all Medals read the same.

Description:

1. Authorized by Congress, September 24, 1945.
2. Awarded to members of the United States Antarctic Expedition of 1939 through 1941. Intended to recognize their contributions to the Nation in the field of polar expedition and science.

Background:

1. The United States Antarctic Service was a short lived organization. Headed by RAdm Richard E. Byrd, it was founded in 1939 to promote continued exploration of the South Pole.The demise of the USAS was forced by World War II after only one expedition. That expedition occurred from 1939 - 1941 which the one for which the medal is named.
2. This medal was created by an Act of Congress on 24 September 1945. The medal was authorized a total of 160 times. It comes in three degrees, Gold, silver, bronze. Of the original 160, 60 were gold, with the remaining 100 being divided equally between silver and bronze. RAdm Byrd's medal was, of course, of the gold degree.
3. Obverse
   In the center of a gold, silver, or bronze medallion one and a quarter inches in diameter, a design representative of the globe as viewed from below. At the top of the globe is a three-tiered scroll bearing the words, SCIENCE, PIONEERING, EXPLORATION. Below the scroll is the outline of the polar region, with the names SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN, ANTARCTICA, SOUTH POLE, PALMERLAND, LITTLE AMERICA in very small letters. Forming a circle around this design, the words THE UNITED STATES ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION and the dates 1939 - 1941 at the base.
4. Reverse
   The reverse is plain except for the following inscription: BY ACT OF / THE CONGRESS OF THE / UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / TO [blank space for engraving the recipient's name] / IN RECOGNITION OF INVALUABLE / SERVICE TO THE NATION BY / COURAGEOUS PIONEERING IN POLAR / EXPLORATION WHICH RESULTED / IN IMPORTANT GEOGRAPHICAL / AND SCIENTIFIC / DISCOVERIES.