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Defense Service Medal, US Coast and Geodetic Survey


Round planchet with insignia of US Coast and Geodetic Survey attached to yelllow ribbon with pinstripes of blue and red at edges

Title: Defense Service Medal, US Coast and Geodetic Survey
Accession #: NHHC 1999-140-AL
Circa: 1940
Size: 22 x 22
Medium: metal, fabric
Location: Headquarters Artifact Collection, Naval History and Heritage Command

One US Coast and Geodetic Survey Defense Service Medal. The planchet is bronze. The obverse planchet has a relief image of an eagle holding a globe with two crossed fouled anchors in the background. A suspension ring attaches the medal to a tapered ribbon. The ribbon is yellow, with narrow stripes at the edges of red white and blue. A pin and clasp brooch is attached to the ribbon.

This medal was awarded to each Coast and Geodetic Survey commissioned officer and to any ship's officer or member of the crew of any Coast and Geodetic Survey ship who served at any time during the period between 8 September 1939 and 6 December 1941.

The Executive Order authorizing this medal specified that the design of the medals and ribbons authorized for the Coast and Geodetic Survey should not duplicate those awarded by the War or Navy Departments. While the planchet for this medal matches those of the other Coast and Geodetic Survey medals, the ribbon is similar to the American Defense Service Medal, which was also awarded to any military personnel on active duty between 8 September 1939 and 6 December 1941. 


Reverse image of US Coast and Geodetic Survey Defense Service Medal with pin and clasp visible
Published: Tue Apr 07 11:43:19 EDT 2020