European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal

The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was established by Executive Order 9265 signed by President F. D. Roosevelt on 6 November 1942, and implemented by War Department Bulletin 56, 1942. The criteria was originally announced in Department of the Army (DA) Circular 84, dated 25 March 1948, and later published in Army Regulation 600-65, dated 22 September 1948. The Secretary of War approved the ribbon design in December 1942.
Mr. T.H. Jones designed the medal per General Eisenhower's desire that the medal include an invasion scene. Mr. A.A. Weinman designed the reverse side and is the same as the design of the reverse of the Asiatic-Pacific and American Campaign Medals. The Commission of Fine Arts received the medal design on 17 September 1946 and the first model was finished in July 1947. The first medal was awarded General Eisenhower on 24 July 1947.
The major invasions of Africa and Europe during the Second World War are symbolized by the invasion scene and portrays elements of the Army, Navy, and Air Corps. The words tell the Theater of operations. The bald eagle standing on a rock stands for the American people’s firmness of resolve and strength in prosecuting the war, as shown by the dates.
The brown on the ribbon stands for the sands of Africa and the green stands for the green fields of Europe. The middle blue, white, and red stripes are taken from the American Defense Service Medal ribbon and symbolize the continuance of American Defense after Pearl Harbor. Green, white and red are the Italian colors and the white and black colors signify Germany.

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