Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal

Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal. The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal is a military award of the United States Armed Forces created on November 6, 1942, by Executive Order 9265 issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was designed to recognize those who performed military service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during the years of World War II. It was one of three theater-specific campaign medals, alongside the European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and the American Campaign Medal, authorized for the global conflict.

History and establishment

The establishment of the medal followed the U.S. entry into World War II and the early campaigns such as the Attack on Pearl Harbor. Prior to its creation, service in the initial phase of the war was recognized by the American Defense Service Medal. The need for a distinct award for the vast Pacific theater was formalized by the War Department and Navy Department. The order was published in Bulletin 56, War Department, 1942 and the medal's criteria were later detailed in Army Regulation 600-65.

Criteria and eligibility

Eligibility for the medal required service within the geographical theater boundaries, which encompassed the entire Pacific Ocean and its bordering land masses, including Alaska, China, India, Japan, and Southeast Asia. Personnel must have been on permanent assignment, served in temporary duty for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days, or been in active combat against the enemy. Eligibility extended to members of the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, United States Coast Guard, and United States Army Air Forces. Those who qualified for a combat decoration, such as the Navy Cross or Distinguished Service Cross, for service in the theater were automatically awarded the medal.

Description and symbolism

The medal was designed by Thomas Hudson Jones of the United States Army Institute of Heraldry. The obverse depicts a tropical landing scene with a landing craft, troops, and palm trees, with the inscription "ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN". The reverse features the American bald eagle perched on a rock between the dates "1941-1945" and the words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA". The ribbon's central stripe is yellow, representing the Pacific sands, flanked by bands of blue, white, and red, with outer stripes of orange symbolizing the Japanese "Rising Sun". The medal was suspended from a service ribbon of the same design.

Campaigns and service stars

A system of bronze service stars and one bronze arrowhead was authorized to denote participation in specific campaigns and amphibious assault landings. The United States Army recognized 21 official campaigns, starting with the Philippines Campaign (1941–1942) and ending with the China Offensive. The United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Coast Guard recognized 43 engagements, including the Battle of Midway, Guadalcanal Campaign, and Battle of Okinawa. A silver service star was worn in lieu of five bronze stars.

Notable recipients

Many high-ranking officers and decorated personnel received the medal, often with multiple service stars. Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, commander of the United States Pacific Fleet, was a recipient. General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander of the South West Pacific Area, also qualified. Other notable recipients include Admiral William Halsey Jr., commander of the Third Fleet, and Lieutenant General Holland Smith of the United States Marine Corps. Numerous Medal of Honor recipients from battles like Iwo Jima and the Battle of Leyte Gulf were also awarded this campaign medal.

Category:United States campaign medals Category:World War II awards and decorations of the United States Category:Military awards and decorations of the United States Army Category:Military awards and decorations of the United States Navy Category:Military awards and decorations of the United States Marine Corps Category:Military awards and decorations of the United States Coast Guard Category:Military awards and decorations of the United States Air Force