|
Miniature hexagonal bronze medal with laterally-pierced loop for ribbon suspension; the face with a bald American eagle, wings outstretched, three crossed arrows in its talons, imposed on its breast an escutcheon (from the Coat of Arms of the U.S.A.) with thirteen pales and a chief; the reverse inscribed above and below a plaque ‘FOR MILITARY’ and ‘MERIT’ respectively, a stylised laurel branch below; diameter 17.29mm (0.68 inch); on original ribbon with brooch bar mounted for wear with maker’s mark ‘GEMSCO / N.Y.’ for General Merchandising Co. of Milford, Connecticut. The medal was instituted on 18 December 1945 to be awarded to ‘members of the Armed Forces of the United States serving in any capacity with the Army for meritorious service rendered since 7 December 1941, not in sustained operational activities against an enemy nor in direct support of such operation, i.e., in areas and at times when the Bronze Star Medal may not be awarded because of its operational character’. On 31 March 1960, President John F. Kennedy authorised its award ‘to members of the Armed Forces of friendly foreign nations who, after 1 June 1962, distinguished themselves by an act of heroic, extraordinary achievement, or meritorious service’.
|
