1. Description: The Bronze medal is 1 1/4 inches in width. On the obverse is a Navy cruiser under full steam with a B-24 airplane flying overhead with a sinking enemy submarine in the foreground on three wave symbols, in the background a few buildings representing the arsenal of democracy, above the scene the words "AMERICAN CAMPAIGN." On the reverse an American bald eagle close between the dates "1941 - 1945" and the words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA."

2. Ribbon: The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes: 3/16 inch oriental blue 67172; 1/16 inch white 67101; 1/16 inch black 67138; 1/16 inch scarlet 67111; 1/16 inch white; 3/16 inch oriental blue; center 1/8 triparted old glory blue 67178, white and scarlet; 3/16 inch oriental blue; 1/16 inch white; 1/16 inch scarlet; 1/16 inch black; 1/16 inch white; and 3/16 inch oriental blue. 

3. Criteria:

  a. The American Campaign Medal was awarded to personnel for service within the American Theater between 7 December 1941 and 2 March 1946 under any of the following conditions. 

 (1) On permanent assignment outside the continental limits of the United States. 

 (2) Permanently assigned as a member of a crew of a vessel sailing ocean waters for a period of 30 days or 60 nonconsecutive days. 

 (3) Permanently assigned as a member of an operating crew of an airplane actually making regular and frequent flights over ocean waters for a period of 30 days. 

 (4) Outside the continental limits of the United States in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 days not consecutive. 

 (5) In active combat against the enemy and was awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that he actually participated in combat.  

 (6) Within the continental limits of the United States for an aggregate period of one year.

  b. The eastern boundary of the American Theater is from the North Pole, south along the 75^th meridian west longitude to the 77^th parallel north latitude, then southeast through Davis Strait to the intersection of the 40^th parallel north latitude and the 35^th meridian west longitude, then south along the meridian to the 10^th parallel north latitude, then southeast to the intersection of the Equator and the 20^th meridian west longitude, then south along the 20^th meridian west longitude to the South Pole. The western boundary is from the North Pole, south along the 141^st meridian west longitude to the east boundary of Alaska, then south and southeast along the Alaska boundary to the Pacific Ocean, then south along the 130^th meridian to its intersection with the 30^th parallel north latitude, then southeast to the intersection of the Equator and the 100^th meridian west longitude to the South Pole. The American Theater included North America (excluding Alaska) and South America. 

4. Components: The following are authorized components: 

  a. Medal (regular size): MIL-DTL-3943/227. Medal set with full size medal and ribbon bar. NSN 8455-00-269-5760. 

  b. Medal (miniature size): MIL-DTL-3943/227. Available commercially. 

  c. Ribbon: MIL-DTL-11589/9. NSN 8455-00-257-0517. Available commercially.  

  d. Streamer: The American Campaign ribbon is used as a streamer for one streamer on the Army flag. Although there are three designated campaigns in the American Theater, no Army units received campaign participation credit.  

5. Background: a. The American Campaign Medal was established per Executive Order 9265, dated 6 November 1942, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and announced in War Department Bulletin 56, 1942. The criteria was initially announced in Department of the Army (DA) Circular 1, dated 1 January 1943, so that the ribbon could be authorized prior to design of the medal. The criteria for the medal was announced in DA Circular 84, dated 25 March 1948 and subsequently published in Army Regulation 600-65, dated 22 September 1948.  

  b. The ribbon design was approved by the Secretary of War on 24 November 1942. The blue color represents the Americas; the central blue, white and red stripes (taken from the American Defense Service Medal ribbon) refers to the continuance of American defense after Pearl Harbor. The white and black stripes refer to the German part of the conflict on the Atlantic Coast, while the red and white stripes are for the Japanese colors and refer to that part of the conflict on the Pacific Coast.

  c. The medal was designed by Mr. Thomas Hudson Jones. The reverse side was designed by Mr. A. A. Weinman and is the same design as used on the reverse of the European-African-Middle Eastern and Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medals. The first medal was presented to General of the Army George C. Marshall on 17 December 1947.

  d. One bronze star is worn on the ribbon to indicate participation in an authorized campaign. There were three campaigns in the American Theater: 

  (1) Antisubmarine: 7 Dec 41 - 2 Sep 45. 

  *(2) Ground Combat: 7 Dec 41 - 2 Sep 45. 

  *(3) Air Combat: 7 Dec 41 - 2 Sep 45.

* These campaigns are not displayed as streamers on the Army flag.