Material: Silk ribbon mounted on metal backing
Size: 105mm Long x 10mm h
Circa: Mid 20th Century
Ribbons Represented:
World War II Victory Medal (left)
Ribbon design features a red center field and rainbow stripes at each edge. The World War II Victory Medal was awarded to all members of the United States Armed Forces who served between 7 December 1941 and 31 December 1946.
United Nations Korea Service Medal (center)
Ribbon design features alternating light blue and white vertical stripes. The United Nations Service Medal for Korea was issued by the United Nations to personnel who served in support of UN operations during the Korean War (1950–1954).
National Defense Service Medal (right)
Ribbon design features a red field, a broad yellow center stripe, and thin white and blue stripes. The National Defense Service Medal was established in 1953 by Dwight D. Eisenhower. It was awarded for honorable active service during national emergency periods beginning with the Korean War.
Notes:
This combination of ribbons likely represents a serviceman who served during World War II and continued service into the Korean War period, qualifying for the National Defense Service Medal after its introduction in 1953. Such ribbon bars are typical of career servicemen whose service spanned both conflicts. This ribbon combination quietly tells a two-war service story: many American servicemen who fought in WWII remained in the armed forces and found themselves deployed again during the Korean War only five years later.