Regulation size American Defense Military Medal.

The American Defense Service Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was created in 1941 by Executive Order of President Franklin Roosevelt.

The purpose of the American Defense Service Medal is to recognize those members of the U.S. military who had served on active duty before America¿s entry into the Second World War but during the initial years of the European conflict. The medal is therefore authorized to any military member who performed duty between September 8, 1939 and December 6, 1941. Members of the United States Army were required to perform at least one year of duty, during the above time period, while United States Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and United States Marine Corps personnel were awarded the medal for any length of service during the eligible time frame.