History

The American Defence Service Medal was established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt by Executive Order on June 28, 1941, to boost morale during a state of limited emergency between September 8, 1939, and December 7, 1941. The Bronze Medal was awarded to Army personnel in recognition of 12 months of honourable service and to Navy personnel for 10 days or more of active duty between September 8, 1938, to December 7, 1941.

The following service clasps were authorized for wear with the Medal ribbon to denote service outside the Continental United States:
1. "FOREIGN SERVICE"
2. "BASE"
3. "FLEET"
4. "SEA"

When the ribbon was worn alone, a bronze star emblem was worn on the ribbon to denote the award of a service clasp. Additionally, the Navy issued a bronze "A" device for wear on the service ribbon of personnel who served aboard vessels operating in actual or potential contact with Axis forces in the Atlantic between June 22, 1941, and December 7, 1941. However, the service star and "A" device cannot be worn on the ribbon bar at the same time as only 1 ribbon device is authorized for wear on the ribbon bar at a time.