China Service

Authorized by the Secretary of the Navy, July 1, 1942.

Authorized by the Secretary of the Navy, for the period after WWII, January 22, 1945.

Awarded to U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps Service member who served on shore in China or who were attached to any of the vessels that operated in support of the operations in China between July 7, 1937 and September 7, 1939.

The period of eligibility was subsequently extended on March 6, 1947. During the second period, the medal was awarded to Service members of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard during operations in China between September 2, 1945 and April 1, 1957. Military services performed in the Asiatic-Pacific area between September 2, 1945 and March 2, 1946, shall not be credited toward individual eligibility for the China Service Medal, unless the Service member is already eligible for the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal for military service
performed before September 2, 1945.

Not more than one award of the China Service Medal (extended) shall be given to any Service member. Service members, who previously earned the China Service Medal for the period 1937 through 1939 shall be issued a bronze star instead of a second award for qualifying military service during the extended period of 1945 through 1957.

China Service products

China Service Bumper Sticker

American Defense

Authorized by Executive Order 8808 (reference (dddd)). Promulgated by War Department Bulletin 17 and Navy Department General Orders No. 172.

Awarded to all U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps Service members who served on active duty at any time between September 8, 1939 and December 7, 1941. Service members in the U.S. Army were required to have had served for a period of at least 12 months.

Recipients of the American Defense Service Medal, depending on the circumstances, were authorized to wear certain devices with the award.

Service Clasps

Foreign Service. Awarded to U.S. Army Service members for service outside the continental United States (CONUS), as crew members of a vessel sailing ocean waters, flights over ocean waters, or as an assigned member of an organization stationed outside the CONUS.

Fleet Clasp. Awarded to U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard Service members for military service on the high seas while regularly attached to any vessel or aircraft squadron in the Atlantic, Pacific, or Asiatic Fleets, to include vessels operating directly under the Chief of Naval Operations.

Base Clasp. Awarded to U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard Service members for military service on shore at bases and naval stations outside the United States, including military service in Alaska and Hawaii.

Service Star. Possession of a service clasp is denoted by wearing of a bronze star on the service ribbon of the American Defense Service Medal. The star may not be worn if the letter "A" device is authorized.

Letter "A" Device. A bronze letter "A" is authorized for those Service members who served on board vessels operating in actual or potential belligerent contact with Axis Forces in the Atlantic Ocean between June 22 and December 7, 1941.

American Defense Products

American Defense Bumper Sticker

American Defense Bumper Sticker with 1 Bronze Star

American Defense Bumper Sticker with 2 Bronze Star

American Defense Bumper Sticker with 3 Bronze Star