A WW2 medal, this was instituted in 1942 and was awarded for service between 7 December 1941 and 2 March 1946 under any of the following conditions:

on permanent assignment outside the continental limits of the United states;

permanently assigned as a member of a crew of a vessel sailing ocean waters for a period of 30 days or 60 non-consecutive days;

permanently assigned as a member of an operating crew of an airplane actually making regular and frequent flights over ocean waters for a period of 30 days;

outside the continental limits of the United States in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 days not consecutive;

in active combat against the enemy and was awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that he actually participated in combat; or

within the continental limits of the United States for an aggregate period of one year.

The eastern boundary of the American Theatre is from the North Pole, south along the 75th meridian west longitude to the 77th parallel north latitude, then southeast through Davis Strait to the intersection of the 40th parallel north latitude and the 35th meridian west longitude, then south along the meridian to the 10th parallel north latitude, then southeast to the intersection of the Equator and the 20th meridian west longitude, then south along the 20th meridian west longitude to the South Pole. The western boundary is from the North Pole, south along the 141st meridian west longitude to the east boundary of Alaska, then south and southeast along the Alaska boundary to the Pacific Ocean, then south along the 130th meridian to its intersection with the 30th parallel north latitude, then southeast to the intersection of the Equator and the 100th meridian west longitude to the South Pole. The American Theatre included North America (excluding Alaska) and South America.