WW2 (USA) European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal - ORIGINAL ISSUE

ORIGINAL ISSUE - Full Size Medal w/TWO campaign stars (rare).

Established on November 6, 1942 by executive order by Franklin D. Roosevelt to recognize US military service members who performed military duty in the European Theater (to include North Africa and the Middle East) during the years of the Second World War.

CRITERIA:
Originally known as the “EAME Ribbon”, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal is awarded for any service performed between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946 provided such service was performed in the geographical theater areas of Europe, North Africa, or the Middle East.

Participation in one or more military campaigns resulted in authorization for a bronze service star to be worn on the medal. There were 16 campaigns which earned the service star including service in Anzio, Normandy, Rhineland, the Ardennes, and many more.

An Arrowhead device was authorized for those who participated in airborne or amphibious assault landings. The Fleet Marine Force Combat Operation Insignia was authorized for sailors attached to the Marine Corps.

DESCRIPTION:
Ribbon - The colored bands represent German Colors (right side), Italian (left side), and the United States (center). The brown and green areas of the ribbon represent the terrain of the area of conflict, which ranged from beaches and sand, to grass and woodlands, to mountains.

HISTORY:
The Pacific Theater counterpart to this medal was the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (available in a separate listing). The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was only a service ribbon throughout the entirety of the Second World War. In 1947 is was authorized as a full sized medal. The reverse design is the same as the Asiatic-Pacific and American Campaign Medals.

The first recipient of the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was General of the Army Dwight Eisenhower who was presented the medal in recognition of his service as Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force during World War II.

Note: Shipped item may not be exactly as appears in the photos - may contain slight variation in color/standard age wear.