Pearl Harbor Commemorative Medal
Encyclopedia
The Pearl Harbor Commemorative Medal, also known as the Pearl Harbor Survivor’s Medal, is a decoration
of the United States military which was established by the United States Congress
in 1991. The medal recognizes veterans of the U.S. military who were present at the Japan
ese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii which caused the United States of America to enter World War II
.
To be awarded the Pearl Harbor Commemorative Medal, a service member must have served on active duty with the United States military on December 7, 1941 and must have been present in the geographical region of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii during the attack by Japanese
air force
s. Civilian employees of the government may be awarded the decoration if they were killed or wounded in the attack.
The Pearl Harbor Commemorative Medal is retroactive by design and is not intended to be worn or displayed on a military uniform. Unlike other commemorative medals, however, the Pearl Harbor Commemorative Medal requires an application from the service veteran, to the United States military, for the decoration to be awarded. The Pearl Harbor Commemorative Medal is therefore considered an official military award of the United States armed forces.
Awards and decorations of the United States military
Awards and decorations of the United States Military are military decorations which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the United States armed forces...
of the United States military which was established by the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
in 1991. The medal recognizes veterans of the U.S. military who were present at the Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii which caused the United States of America to enter World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
To be awarded the Pearl Harbor Commemorative Medal, a service member must have served on active duty with the United States military on December 7, 1941 and must have been present in the geographical region of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii during the attack by Japanese
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
air force
Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service
The Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service was the air arm of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II, the organization was responsible for the operation of naval aircraft and the conduct of aerial warfare in the Pacific War.It was controlled by the Navy Staff of the Imperial Japanese Navy and...
s. Civilian employees of the government may be awarded the decoration if they were killed or wounded in the attack.
The Pearl Harbor Commemorative Medal is retroactive by design and is not intended to be worn or displayed on a military uniform. Unlike other commemorative medals, however, the Pearl Harbor Commemorative Medal requires an application from the service veteran, to the United States military, for the decoration to be awarded. The Pearl Harbor Commemorative Medal is therefore considered an official military award of the United States armed forces.