| Merchant Marine Defense Medal (Bar) | |
|---|---|
  Merchant Marine Defense Medal obverse (left) and reverse | |
| Type | Individual Award |
| Awarded for | Service between September 8, 1939 and December 7, 1941. |
| Presented by | United States Maritime Administration |
| Eligibility | Merchant Marine seamen |
| Campaign(s) | Second World War |
| Established | August 24, 1944 |
| Total | 17,091 |
 Merchant Marine Defense Bar | |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Merchant Marine Combat Bar |
| Next (lower) | Merchant Marine Atlantic War Zone Medal |
The Merchant Marine Defense Medal (Bar) is a decoration of the United States Merchant Marine. The decoration was established by an Act of Congress on August 14, 1944.