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The World War II Victory Medal was established by an Act of Congress on 6 July 1945 (Public Law 135, 79th Congress) and promulgated by Section V, War Department Bulletin 12, 1945. The medal was designed byThomas H. Jonesand approved by the Secretary of War on 5 February 1946. Consequently, it did not transition from a ribbon to a full medal until afterWorld War IIhad ended. The World War II Victory Medal was first issued as aservice ribbon, referred to as the \"Victory Ribbon.\"
The Congressional authorization for the medal specified that it was to be awarded to any member of the United States military, including members of the armed forces of theGovernment of the Philippine Islands, who served on active duty, or as a reservist, between 7 December 1941 and the ending of hostilities as declared by the president.[2]
On 8 August 1946, the separateMerchant Marine World War II Victory Medalwas established for members of theUnited States Merchant Marinewho served during World War II.[3]
Titles of Distinction