United States Antarctic Expedition Medal | |
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Type | Medal in Gold, Silver, and Bronze |
Awarded for | Valuable services to the Nation in the field of polar exploration and science |
Presented by | Department of the Navy |
Eligibility | Members of U.S. Antarctic Expedition (1939–1941) |
Status | Obsolete; replaced by Antarctica Service Medal |
Established | September 24, 1945 |
Precedence | |
Next (higher) | World War II Victory Medal[1] |
Next (lower) | Navy Occupation Service Medal[1] |
Related | Byrd Antarctic Expedition Medal Second Byrd Antarctic Expedition Medal Antarctica Service Medal |
The United States Antarctic Expedition Medal is a combined military-civilian award that was authorized by the United States Congress on September 24, 1945 under Public Law 185 of the 79th Congress (59 Stat. 536).[2] The award recognizes members of the United States Antarctic Expedition of 1939–1941. There were gold, silver, and bronze versions. It is unclear if the gold version is considered a Congressional Gold Medal, as was the case with the 1st Byrd expedition.[3]