World War II Victory Medal
The World War II Victory Medal may be awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States or of the Government of the Philippine Islands who served on active duty in World War II at any time between 7 December 1941 and 31 December 1946, both dates inclusive. (Established by Public Law No. 135 of 6 July 1945.)
The bronze medal is 1 3/8 inches in width. On the obverse is a figure of Liberation standing full length with head turned to dexter looking to the dawn of a new day, right foot resting on a war god’s helmet with the hilt of a broken sword in the right hand and the broken blade in the left hand, the inscription ''WORLD WAR II'' placed immediately below the center. On the reverse are the inscriptions ''FREEDOM FROM FEAR AND WANT'' and ''FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND RELIGION'' separated by a palm branch, all within a circle composed of the words ''UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1914 1945.''
The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes: 3/8 inch double rainbow in juxtaposition (blues, greens, yellows, reds (center), yellows greens and blues); 1/32 inch white 67101; center 9/16 inch Old Glory Red 67156; 1/32 inch white; and 3/8 inch double rainbow in juxtaposition. The rainbow on each side of the ribbon is a miniature of the pattern used in the WWI Victory Medal.
Sources
- U.S. Navy Awards Manual, 1953
- The Institute of Heraldry: Office of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army
