Merchant Marine Defense Medal and Ribbon
Merchant Marine Defense Ribbon
Merchant Marine Defense Medal
History - Established 1944
The Merchant Marine Defense Medal honors Merchant Marine mariners who carried out service on board merchant vessels running American colors between September 8, 1939 and December 7, 1941 leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor.
The Merchant Marine consists of civilian mariners who operate privately and federally owned vessels; in wartime, these vessels may be called to provide transportation or other support for military troops or supplies.
Details
The medal features a ship’s wheel encircled by a wreath and an inscription reading “MERCHANT MARINE DEFENSE.” The ribbon is bisected by a vertical black stripe flanked on either side by one stripe each of red, white, and green proceeding outward.
Precedence
Next Higher: Coast Guard Auxiliary AMOS Public Education
Next Lower: Merchant Marine Atlantic War Zone
Merchant Marine Defense Ribbon
Merchant Marine Defense Medal