service medal / RIBBON WALL ART

American Defense Service Medal

Explore the American Defense Service Medal ribbon, its official award references, and an oversized wall display concept.

Ribbon reference (devices may vary). Image reference ↗ · Award chart ↗. Digital references guide the concept; they are not final production color or textile specifications.

Give the story
a place at home.

Explore an oversized, permanently nonwearable wall-art interpretation. Choose a preview width and arrange your display. Plan for individual ribbons, ribbons with individual mounts, or ribbons with a corresponding display rack.

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Fabric and 3D printed finishes are in development. Physical samples will establish the final colors, texture, devices, mounting and pricing.

About this ribbon

Executive Order 8808. Navy source requires active naval service within window, with distinct Reserve training and clasp rules.

Catalog associations: Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard. Historical or discontinued award retained for veterans and families. Branch associations are browsing guidance; other service awards may also appear in a veteran’s record.

Service years and award dates

Years help surface possibilities. A date overlap does not show that someone earned an award. Some date rules describe completion, specific operations or retroactive eligibility, rather than a universal service window.

Listed service periods and date rules
Dates	What the source says
Sep 8, 1939 – Dec 7, 1941	Prewar active service; minimum service/order requirements differ between Army and naval services. Source ↗

Date coverage is not certified complete. The finder keeps this entry available when listed dates do not overlap.

Official award references

Consult the applicable service guidance for eligibility, precedence and authorized devices.

Air Force Personnel Center: American Defense Service Medal ↗Background; Criteria; Ribbon Description
NHHC: American Defense Service Medal ↗Paragraphs 1–3: naval eligibility
DoDM 1348.33 Volume 2 ↗Award-specific criteria; approved operations lists must also be consulted

Not sure what they earned?

A ribbon name, a photograph of an existing rack, or service records can be a useful starting point. Our guide points you toward official records-request services.

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