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Ref Thread: European-African-Middle Campaign Medal (EAME)


Ricardo
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ETO Medal history:

 

The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal is a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was first created in 1942 by Executive Order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The decoration was intended to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty in the European Theater (to include North Africa and the Middle East) during the years of the Second World War. Colored bands representing Germany (on the ribbon's right side), Italy (on the ribbon's left side), and the United States (in the center of the ribbon) are visible in the ribbon. The brown and green areas of the ribbon represent the terrain of the area of conflict, which ranged from beaches and sand, to grass and woodlands, to mountains.

 

Originally known as the “EAME Ribbon”, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal is awarded for any service performed between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946 provided such service was performed in the geographical theater areas of Europe, North Africa, or the Middle East. For those service members who participated in multiple battle campaigns, service stars are authorized to the decoration with the arrowhead device awarded for any airborne or amphibious operations performed. The Fleet Marine Force combat operation insignia is also authorized for certain sailors.

 

The following campaigns are recognized by service stars to the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.

 

Egypt-Libya: 11 Jun 42 - 12 Feb 43

Air Offensive, Europe: 4 Jul 42 - 5 Jun 44

Algeria-French Morocco: 8-11 Nov 42

Tunisia: 12 Nov 42 - 13 May 43

Sicily: 14 May 43 - 17 Aug 43

Naples-Foggia: 18 Aug 43 - 21 Jan 44

Anzio: 22 Jan 44 - 24 May 44

Rome-Arno: 22 Jan 44 - 9 Sep 44

Normandy: 6 Jun 44 - 24 Jul 44

Northern France: 25 Jul 44 - 14 Sep 44

Southern France: 15 Aug 44 - 14 Sep 44

Northern Apennines: 10 Sep 44 - 4 Apr 45

Rhineland: 15 Sep 44 - 21 Mar 45

Ardennes-Alsace: 16 Dec 44 - 25 Jan 45

Central Europe: 22 Mar 45 - 11 May 45

Po Valley: 5 Apr 45 - 8 May 45

For those service members who did not participate in a designated battle campaign, the following "blanket campaigns" are authorized to the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, denoted by service stars

 

Antisubmarine: 7 Dec 41 - 2 Sep 45

Ground Combat: 7 Dec 41 - 2 Sep 45

Air Combat: 7 Dec 41 - 2 Sep 45

 

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Answering a previously asked question about whether all WWII campaign medals were originally slot-brooches. Actually, most all WWII campaign medals have the crimp brooches. There are some WWII Victory Medals that have slot brooches, but I can't think of one campaign medal I've ever seen with anything other than the crimp brooch. Also, no campaign medals were made prior to the war ending, so all would be considered post-war medals.

 

A few ways you can tell these earlier medals from the more current restrikes is the pendants on the earlier ones are very nice light bronze with sharp, crisp edges and finely detailed surfaces. The restrikes tend to have darkened, shiny finishes, as if varnished or shellacked and the edges are more rounded and smooth with surfaces being indistinct or muddled. The current restrikes just look like a much cheaper version of the medals. Another way to tell these apart is the earlier crimp brooches lack any makers marks, while the restrikes have the makers marks, like G.I., W-2, L.I.G.I., etc., like any other current made medals. Hope this helps?

 

Here is a post-war 1947 made Medallic Arts ETO next to a 1985 contract made ETO. No comparison. The crimp brooches and ribbons are pretty much the same, but the 1985 medal has the maker mark W within a diamond and number 2.

 

Gary

post-84-1201558038.jpg

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Stinger Gunner USMC

I believe GLM is correct. I have never seen a campaign medal that was slot brooch. If anyone has one I'd love to see it for reference. the latest designed campaign/service medal that I have seen in slot brooch is the American Defense

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A great thing about this forum is that it causes me to go and look thru my collection on a daily basis. I went and checked all of my campaign medals and they are all crimp brooched. I found the sewn brooch on the Army Good Conduct, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Air Medal, USN shooting Medal, Selective Service Medal, American Defense Medal, and a couple others that I have already forgotten.

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  • 1 year later...
Old Marine

I am far from being an expert on this topic, but after seeing and handling a bunch of these over the years I thought I would post some photos showing a side by side comparison of new manufacture, or re-issue theater medals and those originals manufactured in the 1940s. Hopefully, after seeing the medals side by side this will be of some help to you in telling which is which.

 

There is nothing wrong with these current made medals, they do serve a purpose especially for displays where you might not want to display the originals or as a place holder until you can get an original. I see a lot of these medals at flea markets and antique stores offered as originals with the corresponding price. A lot of time this is because the dealer doesn't know the difference, or care.

 

post-2843-1241701903.jpg

 

This is the European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign medal. The medal on the LEFT is the current manufacture re-strike. The medal on the RIGHT is the original 1940's medal. When they are side by it's easy to tell the newer one from the older one.

 

The newer medal has a black wash applied to the medal. This is an attempt to show off some of the detail that has been lost over the years. Also the colors on the newer medal's ribbon are a bit duller, the Original's ribbon has a sheen to it, and lastly the Original's suspension ribbon is a bit shorter than the newer one.

 

As far as I know these new manufacture medals are still being made with the original 1940's dies, and as a result the dies are very worn down and the newer ones lack the detail and crispness of the originals.

 

ETO02.jpg

 

If you look closer at the medal it's self you really can see the difference. The Original on the Right has very sharp, crisp details, the helmet nets, the lettering, the detail on the 2 soldiers pack straps, rifle and sling. Also, something I never notice before, is that it looks like the soldiers are wearing Gas Brassards, the sculptor really captured the details.

 

Looking at the re-strike on the LFET you can see how much detail has bee lost over the years. The helmet nets are completely worn away. When you see these medals in hand, the re-strikes look like a very worn down coins.

 

ETO04.jpg

 

This photo compares the suspension ribbons of the 2 medals. The re-strike is on the LEFT and the original is on the RIGHT. The first thing you notice is the length of the ribbon, the newer medal's ribbon is a bit longer. The second thing is the color, the older medal's colors are richer. The Re-strike has a dull look. Also, if you get a chance to handle these, the newer ribbon is just a bit stiffer.

 

ETO05.jpg

 

This is a close up of the 2 ribbons. You can see the newer one on the LEFT has a tighter weave and the brown is noticeably darker. I think the tighter weave of the newer medal is what gives it that "stiffness" as compared to the softer feel of an older medal.

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  • 4 months later...

Here's some more info. The great patination on the older medals was achieved by hand processing. After striking, the medals were sandblasted and chemically oxidized. Then most of the oxidation was removed and the medals hand buffed. Also I believe the metal used if not actually bronze had more copper in it. The process is very labor intensive and quite frankly the government simply won't pay for it anymore. The result, a brassy looking medal with a lot of chemical toning. Not sure which is worse, these modern finishes or the matte frosted look popular in the 80's.

 

The narrow crimped brooches (3/8") are relatively recent. Although standardizing the size with that of service ribbons probably saves some expense, I belive the change was made to accomodate mounting the full size medals for wear. The Navy/MC/CG have been wearing full size medals for a long time. More and more Army & AF trooops are beginning to follow suit, especially honor guards, drill teams, bands, etc. Hiring a professional medal mounter, if you can find one, is expensive. So a narrow crimp you slide onto a ribbon holder and Bob's your uncle, you're ready to roll.

 

 

Longer suspension ribbons are another recent trend. The standard used to be 1 3/8" in length. I think most of those actually issued by the services still pretty much conform to that standard. The non-standard ribbon length is mostly found on those commercially available including those sold by the exchange system. Another sop I think to those who mount their medals -- having provided an easy way to mount the medals, adjusting the ribbon length allows for more even looking rows. Those made by Vanguard are an example; longer ribbons on the service & campaign medals and shorter ribbons on the larger decorations. I've seen DFCs and AF DSMs with ribbons not much more than 1" in length.

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  • 1 year later...

It should be noted that there are strike differences between period manufacturers as well. Additionally, as the US Mint hand finished these medals (which probably contributed to the successive delays in issuing) there are differences in the US Mint produced examples as time progressed.

 

Here's a comparison of two US Mint issued European African Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medals. The example on the left is with the slot brooch and the example on the right with the crimped brooch. Both came in the original box of issue.

 

You can see small details are sharper and more defined on the slot brooch example in addition to the brighter polished surface which increases the contrast.

 

EAME_Campaign_Medal_comp.JPG

 

As Kurt previously stated, the US Mint produced medals have a thicker planchet when compared to other manufacturers. I notice this on all their campaign medals, with the Asiatic-Pacific being the most noticeable of the three WWII campaign medals.

 

Here's a comparison of the EAME produced by the US Mint (bottom) and another by the Medallic Art Company (top).

 

Note the thickness as well as the more raw edge to the US Mint planchet.

 

Tim

post-50776-1311307887.jpg

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The Navy and Coast Guard both had contracts with the US Mint for these Slot-Brooch EAMEs.

 

I just posted some more information in the "pinned" thread on "WWII Crimped Brooch Theatre Medals" that may be of interest as well.

 

Here's two of my EAME Campaign Medals, both US Mint. The example on the left is the slot brooch and the example on the right is crimped brooch. As shown in the pinned thread, there are slight differences in the medal planchet strike. You'll also note these slot brooch have a slightly longer drape compared to the crimped versions.

 

post-50776-1311317256.jpg

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  • 1 year later...

Hello

 

Question about the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal

 

1st question :

What was the timelag about the arrow or star issue ?

 

By example : Does a men involved in the "Normandy June 6, 1944 to July 24 1944 campaign" could have in wear in dress uniform already in August or September such a medal with an arrow or a Star ?

 

Or was it stuffed with stars and arrow at the end of the war, having accounted each chapter of the war ?

 

2nd Question

Does an AAF pilot offcier receive a "star" or an "arrow" on this medal if he was involved in Overlord ?

 

Thanks

 

 

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One limitation on the three WW2 theater campaign medals was that they were not available for issue to veterans until about 1948. So veterans newly discharged in late 1945 had only the service ribbons to wear on their uniform. The bronze arrowhead was first authorized 23 December 1944, and the bronze campaign stars were available before then. Photographs of active and discharged veterans taken in 1945 show their ribbon bars fitted with various campaign stars, but only one arrowhead was allowed on either the EAME or As-Pac ribbon.

 

With regard to your question about D-Day qualification, anyone in uniform serving in Normandy June 6 to July 24 would rate the campaign star for Normandy. However, it is my understanding that the same person would have had to land on the Normandy beaches, while under hostile fire, to qualify for the arrowhead for Normandy. Landing on the beaches later on June 6th, after they had been secured from enemy fire, did not qualify the vetran for the arrowhead. Can anyone in the Forum confirm this point??

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Tom and all: A quick reply without detailed check of references. I'd say Tom's 1st paragraph sounds correct.

 

Not to "pick nits" on wording, but in 2nd paragraph the words: "would have had to land on the Normandy beaches" need to be tempered with understanding that airborne troops who landed "behind" the beaches also rated the arrowhead.

 

Of more interest here (in my humble opinion) is the "official" time frame of the Normandy (or any invasion) authorization of arrowhead for an invasion. Was it confined to June 6 (within an hour/time parameter) or extend to June 7, 8, etc.? Certainly seems to make sense that "landing" on or behind beaches after areas were secure should/could be a determining factor.

 

Thanks Tom for the good thoughts on a Friday evening. Hope that all is well with you.

 

Regards, JimB

One limitation on the three WW2 theater campaign medals was that they were not available for issue to veterans until about 1948. So veterans newly discharged in late 1945 had only the service ribbons to wear on their uniform. The bronze arrowhead was first authorized 23 December 1944, and the bronze campaign stars were available before then. Photographs of active and discharged veterans taken in 1945 show their ribbon bars fitted with various campaign stars, but only one arrowhead was allowed on either the EAME or As-Pac ribbon.

 

With regard to your question about D-Day qualification, anyone in uniform serving in Normandy June 6 to July 24 would rate the campaign star for Normandy. However, it is my understanding that the same person would have had to land on the Normandy beaches, while under hostile fire, to qualify for the arrowhead for Normandy. Landing on the beaches later on June 6th, after they had been secured from enemy fire, did not qualify the vetran for the arrowhead. Can anyone in the Forum confirm this point??

 

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AAF_Collection

Just another thought from an AAF collectors point of view(though I'm sure this observation doesn't apply only to the AAF). British made ribbon bars were produced for the ETO ribbon,along with those distinct over-sized British(?) made Campaign stars. This does seem to suggest the stars were available in-theater so could be added to the ribbon as soon as the serviceman had a chance to do so,though some clearly never bothered.

 

Matt.

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Ok, so if i get it right (?) :

 

- No arrow, nor stars before 1948.

 

- Just the ribbon of the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal before the war is over.

 

- The medal being created nov 6 1942, it is issued "naked" till the end of war

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I checked my copy of Army Regulation AR672-5-1, edition of May 1961, titled "Awards". The bronze arrowhead "denotes participation in a combat parachute jump, combat glider landing, or amphibious assault landing, while attached to a ---- force carrying out an assigned tactical mission." This qualification seems to imply that an eligible veteran must have experienced hostile fire, either on or behind the landing site, and within the time frame determined for the assault. Is it possible that this time limit may have stretched into a second or third day for one or more of the WW2 assaults???

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- Been trough Life pics taken at Anzio where 45th (or 3rd ID) mens are wearing the ribbons with 1 battle star

 

So the star has been issued before the war is over

 

- For the Arrow "Collector Guild" of HP Enjames states that it's beggining in December 1944

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cap_george

Note: Campaign Stars were worn as early as World War 1, and were always given for a "Campaign" participation or Area (within a time period). Since the stars were not usually issued by the government - the recipients furnish their own devices in most cases. As for when the men had a chance to pick up stars (Post/Base Exchanges, Clothing Sales stores, Ship stores, tailors, etc) could be almost anytime after the theater Campaigns were published or established. Also note, there was a Silver "Citation" star worn on the campaign ribbon and or medals for WW1 and earlier engagements until creation of the Silver Star Medal by Mac Author in 1932 (Who earned 7 in WW1). The Arrowheads are strictly WW2 and later. Captain Albert

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  • 1 month later...

EAME and Asiatic Pacific campaigns medals with slot brooches were made by the US Mint of Philadelphia for the Navy/USMC/USCG but most of them were produced with the crimp brooch. Apparently no Army campaign medals with slot brooch are known.

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  • 1 year later...

The arrowhead device is worn in addition to a campaign star. Although the device wasn't officially authorized until December 1944, it most certainly existed much earlier than that. There is a famous memo from Col. Bob Sink (506th PIR) to his Regimental S-4 officer directing him to secure 1,600 arrowhead devices (among other things). The memo was written in June 1944.

 

The soldier serving in the 18th Infantry Regiment and making his first campaign on D-Day, would have been a replacement. After Normandy, the 18th ended up with four more campaigns. Assuming that the veteran wasn't WIA in Normandy, he was probably wounded in Northern France and that was the end of his combat. If he was wounded in Normandy, the second star would probably have been for "Central Europe" if he came back at the end of the war. It is also possible that the soldier was a Normandy replacement and wasn't in on the D-Day landings, but did find himself in Normandy. If he wasn't in on D-Day, he wouldn't be eligible for an arrowhead.

 

Allan

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  • 4 months later...

Slot-brooch EAME in my collection.   I just compared my slot-brooch to a crimp brooch, and the drape was indeed a bit longer.

 

I do know that the planchet is thicker, however I believe that applies to all US Mint produced examples.

 

post-29885-0-06191600-1417725221.jpg

 

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avenger1212

WW2 European, African, Middle Eastern Campiagn Medal - Medallic Art Co. It's one of the nicest EAME medals I've come across. Hope you like it! :)

 

post-158021-0-01581300-1426987532.jpg

 

post-158021-0-82205400-1426987532.jpg

 

post-158021-0-63722500-1426987533.jpg

 

post-158021-0-07327400-1426987535.jpg

 

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  • 3 years later...

I've seen a few groups now to Marines who served as attaches to South American countries during WWII. In each case, the Marine had an EAME that I could find no obvious connection for. Did South American service rate the EAME? I know there was a 'Nazi Scare' that the US provided a presence to ease fears of, going so far as to send a cruise down there pre-war. Is this the reason why?

 

Marines with EAME's intrigue me, it's seldom encountered.

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Brig,

 

Below is a link to a map showing the geographical boundaries of the 3 different WWI Theater Medals. I found the boundary information in the Army's Award manual. Unless the Navy and Marine Corps used a different set of boundaries Service in South America should not qualify you for the EAME.

 

But with this stuff you can never say never.

 

I created this map for a display that I did a while ago and thought it might be useful to others. The map is a scan of a 1943 vintage map and the red lines were overlaid showing the geographical boundaries as specified in Army Regulation 600-8-22 Military Awards.

 

 

Theater map.jpg

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Due to their attache service, at least two of them served on planning staffs around 44-45, I just can't find much documentation on their planning time, aside from some Pacific operations for one.

 

I'm guessing it's not a mistake, with multiple attaches in different countries having EAMEs, I'm just really curious how they came about

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If they had to go to Iceland, London or Casablanca for some TDY they may have been in the ETO long enough to qualify for the medal. Good luck wit the research.

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