American Defense Service Medal (Boxed)

Obverse In the center of a bronze medallion one and a quarter inches in diameter, a female Grecian figure is shown holding an ancient war shield and brandishing a sword above her head. She is standing on a tree branch which has four leaves. Above the figure, and following the contour of the medal, are the words AMERICAN DEFENSE. The Grecian figure is Columbia, representing America, who is standing in an attitude of defense which is further indicated by the manner in which she is holding her sword. She is standing on a live oak, which represents strength, and the four leaves allude to the components of the armed forces at that time: the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. The words describe what the medal commemorates. Reverse In a bronze medallion one and a quarter inches in diameter, the inscription FOR SERVICE DURING THE LIMITED EMERGENCY PROCLAIMED BY THE PRESIDENT ON 8 SEPTEMBER 1939 OR DURING THE UNLIMITED EMERGENCY PROCLAIMED BY THE PRESIDENT ON 27 MAY 1941. At the base of the medal, and below this inscription, is a seven-leafed spray of laurel.