The American Defense Service Medal was created in June of 1941 by President Franklin Roosevelt to recognize service in the European theater before America’s entry into WWII.  These military medals were awarded to service members who performed active duty roles between September 8, 1939 and December 7, 1941.  A year later a similar military medal called the American Campaign Medal was established to honor service during this same period but within the border of the US.

The American Defense Service Medal was presented to US Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel who met certain broad qualifications for active duty service during this period.  These military awards were authorized for certain devices to denote foreign, pre-war battle service.  The Army issued the Foreign Service Clasp; the Navy and Marine Corps awarded the Base Clasp; and the Coast Guard issued the Fleet Clasp.  Most personnel wear these military awards with Service Stars when worn as military ribbons.

The American Defense Service Medal is displayed after the Army’s Army of Occupation of Germany Medal,the Air Force Recognition Ribbon, and the Sea Services China Service Medal, and before the Army’s Women’s Army Corps Service Medal, and the American Campaign Medal for all other branches of service in the order of precedence for military medals and ribbons.