What the main WWII campaign awards recognize
Many US servicemembers who served during World War II received one or more campaign awards, based on where they served, along with the World War II Victory Medal. The main campaign awards are the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. Some servicemembers also earned valor or service decorations, which are separate from campaign awards.
Ribbons first, medals later
During the war, several campaign awards were issued as ribbons only. The American Campaign Medal is the clearest example. It was issued as a service ribbon during World War II and was not issued as a full-size medal until 1947. A veteran’s group can therefore contain a ribbon with no matching medal, and a medal may have been issued after the war.
The main campaign awards
American Campaign Medal
The American Campaign Medal was established by Executive Order 9265, signed on 6 November 1942. It recognizes service in the American Theater between 7 December 1941 and 2 March 1946.
Qualifying service generally includes:
- permanent assignment outside the continental United States
- 30 consecutive days, or 60 non-consecutive days, as a crew member of a vessel sailing ocean waters
- 30 consecutive days, or 60 non-consecutive days, outside the continental United States in a passenger status or on temporary duty
- active combat against the enemy with a combat decoration or a certificate of participation
- one year in aggregate within the continental United States
A small number of bronze service stars were authorized for anti-submarine service in the Atlantic.
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal recognizes service in the Asiatic-Pacific theater between 7 December 1941 and 2 March 1946. Eligibility generally required service in the theater for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days, or participation in combat that earned a combat decoration.
Campaign participation is shown with bronze service stars. A silver star is used in place of five bronze stars. An arrowhead device was authorized for service members who took part in an amphibious or airborne assault.
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal recognizes service in those theaters during the war, generally from December 1941 to May 1945. Its reverse uses the same design as the Asiatic-Pacific and American Campaign medals, with an eagle and the dates.
World War II Victory Medal
The World War II Victory Medal recognizes service during the war period, generally from 7 December 1941 to 31 December 1946. It is one of the most common WWII awards that servicemembers received, so it is often found in groups.
Army of Occupation Medal
The Army of Occupation Medal was awarded for occupation duty after the war. It is worn after the WWII Victory Medal in the Army’s order of wear.
Stars, arrowheads and other devices
Devices show participation in additional campaigns or qualifying operations:
- Bronze service star: one for each approved campaign.
- Silver service star: used in place of five bronze stars.
- Arrowhead device: marks an amphibious or airborne assault.
When you see stars on a ribbon, check which campaigns the award recognizes. The campaign list is specific to each award, so a star on one ribbon does not have the same meaning as a star on another.
Identifying WWII Army ribbons
Start with the ribbon itself. Campaign ribbons are distinguished by their stripe pattern, their central band and their edges, so compare the ribbon with a reference chart rather than relying on color alone. Ribbons were produced by several makers, and shades vary from one example to another. Ribbon bars that are still attached to a uniform should match its period, so check the garment too against a guide to US WWII standard issue uniforms.
The order of wear helps with identification. In the Army’s order of wear for ribbons, the American Campaign ribbon comes before the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign ribbon, which comes before the European-African-Middle Eastern ribbon. The WWII Victory and Army of Occupation ribbons follow. A ribbon out of that sequence may be a clue that the bar was assembled later.
How eligibility works
Eligibility depends on service records, not just on owning a ribbon. A ribbon only tells you what a person was awarded, and the service record shows the dates, units and locations that justify it. A division patch on the same uniform can suggest which unit, and so which campaigns, to look for in the record.
WWII-era separation papers, often on WD AGO Form 53-55 for enlisted personnel, list the awards a veteran earned. To confirm an award, request the veteran’s records from the National Personnel Records Center using Standard Form 180. Check the current NPRC process before you submit, because the forms and procedures change.
Deployment ribbons in general
Later operations have their own campaign and expeditionary awards. Deployment ribbons are not the same for every operation, and the award depends on the period and location of service. For the broader picture, see the pillar guide on military decorations and medals. For the Vietnam period, see the Vietnam War medals guide.
Rare WWII ribbons
Ribbons that were issued in small numbers can be harder to find, but rarity should be measured by recorded issue, not by what a listing calls rare. The question of the most rare military medal explains how collectors measure rarity.