European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
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| European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal | |
|---|---|
 US Army · Public domain · source | |
| Name | European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal |
| Caption | Obverse and ribbon of the EAME Campaign Medal |
| Presenter | Franklin D. Roosevelt |
| Type | Campaign medal |
| Awarded for | Service in designated theaters during World War II |
| Established | November 6, 1942 |
| First awarded | 1942 |
| Last awarded | 1945 |
| Status | Obsolete |
| Clasps | Campaign stars, service clasps, arrowhead, battle stars |
| Designer | Thomas Hudson Jones |
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal recognizes United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine service in the European, African, and Middle Eastern theaters of World War II between 1941 and 1945. Instituted by Presidential order during the tenure of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the award commemorates participation in major operations such as the Normandy landings, Operation Torch, and the Italian Campaign. Recipients include individuals and units who served in campaigns ranging from the Battle of the Bulge to the North African Campaign.
Background and Establishment
The medal was created by Executive Order No. 9265, issued by Franklin D. Roosevelt on November 6, 1942, alongside theater campaign medals such as the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and the American Campaign Medal. Its establishment followed debates within the War Department and consultations involving leaders such as George C. Marshall and Henry L. Stimson about recognizing theater service distinct from awards like the Bronze Star Medal and the Distinguished Service Cross. The decision reflected operational realities from engagements including Operation Torch, Operation Husky, the Battle of Monte Cassino, and the Invasion of Southern France.
Eligibility and Award Criteria
Eligibility encompassed personnel who served in the European-African-Middle Eastern theater between December 7, 1941, and November 8, 1945, under criteria set by the War Department General Order No. 46. Qualifying service included assignment to units present in operations such as Operation Overlord, Operation Market Garden, Operation Dragoon, and participation in the Ardennes Counteroffensive. Merchant Mariners who sailed in convoys associated with the Battle of the Atlantic also qualified, as did aircrew flying missions from bases involved in Strategic bombing of Germany including from RAF Lakenheath and Leigh-on-Sea. Combat participation was indicated by bronze campaign stars for specific engagements and by the arrowhead device for assault landings like Operation Avalanche and Operation Husky.
Design and Symbolism
The obverse, designed by Thomas Hudson Jones, depicts a full-length figure of a broad-shouldered infantryman with helmet, rifle, and bayonet, symbolizing ground combatants who fought in theaters including Sicily, Anzio, and Corsica. The reverse bears an eagle surmounting a trophy of arms and the inscription denoting service in the European, African, and Middle Eastern theaters, evoking campaigns from Tunis to Bari and Alexandria. The ribbon’s colors—blue, white, green, brown—represent sea lanes and land campaigns across areas such as the Mediterranean Sea, English Channel, and Suez Canal. Designers referenced imagery used in medals like the World War I Victory Medal and motifs common to awards such as the Silver Star.
Campaign Stars, Service Clasps, and Devices
The medal could be authorized with up to 9 campaign stars recognizing participation in designated campaigns including Air Offensive, Europe, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe, Algeria-French Morocco, Tunisia, and Sicily. Service clasps and devices paralleled awards systems like the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (ribbon devices), permitting the arrowhead device for amphibious assaults such as Operation Husky and the assault at Normandy Beaches. Units awarded the Presidential Unit Citation or Navy Unit Commendation for operations in the theater often saw members wearing campaign stars in conjunction with unit citation emblems. Aircrew chest distinctions such as the Air Medal and medal devices for multiple engagements complemented campaign stars.
Notable Recipients and Unit Awards
Among individual recipients were figures such as General Dwight D. Eisenhower, General Omar Bradley, General Mark W. Clark, Admiral Bertram Ramsay, General Bernard Montgomery (awarded by U.S. policy for certain liaison roles), and decorated veterans like Staff Sergeant Audie Murphy. Units cited included the 101st Airborne Division for Battle of the Bulge, the 1st Infantry Division for Omaha Beach, the 2nd Armored Division for its European advances, and the Tuskegee Airmen units for Mediterranean operations. Naval units such as the USS Enterprise (CV-6), HMS Rodney in combined operations, and merchant convoys organized through Murmansk Run operations also had members authorized the medal. Recipients who later received high honors include George S. Patton, James Doolittle, Josephine Baker (for French collaboration and U.S. recognition contexts), and decorated aviators like Chuck Yeager for overlapping service.
Distribution, Variants, and Collecting Considerations
After 1945, the War Department issued medals, exchange devices, and replacement pieces through established supply channels including the Army Quartermaster Corps. Variants include maker-mark differences, ribbon shade variations, and privately produced reproduction examples intended for display. Collectors reference hallmarks from manufacturers such as A. Friedrich & Co. and examine provenance tied to service numbers, unit rosters, and archive materials from repositories like the National Archives and Records Administration and the United States Army Center of Military History. Authentication considers edge stamps, patina, documented chain-of-custody, and accompanying paperwork such as discharge papers from Selective Service System records. Prominent auction houses and militaria dealers list original examples, while museums including the Smithsonian Institution and the National World War II Museum preserve specimens for research and public education.