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The World War II Victory Medal was first issued as a service ribbon and in 1946, the medal was established. The medal was awarded to any member of the United States armed services, including members of the armed forces of the Government of the Philippine Islands, who served on active duty, or as a reservist, between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946. This medal was presented to Maj. John Henderson (USMC).

Major John Stanley Henderson (?-1952) joined the US Marine Corps in 1941 and served two tours in the World War II Pacific Theater, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and four Air Medals. He served as a dive bomber pilot at Guadalcanal and a transport pilot on Guam. He was on active duty with the Marine Reserves as Executive Officer of the Marine Air Detachment at NAS Olathe, Kansas, at the time of his death at 33, killed while preparing for his departure to Korea.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type AWARDS-Medals & Ribbons Physical Description World War II Victory Medal; Obverse: relief of Liberty figure with broken sword depicted; embossed text "WORLD WAR II"; Reverse: embossed text "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1941-1945, FREEDOM FROM FEAR AND WANT, FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND RELIGION"; silk ribbon, center red stripe with rainbow stripes (adopted from the World War I Victory Medal). Dimensions 3-D: 3.8 x 1.3 x 7cm (1 1/2 x 1/2 x 2 3/4 in.)
 Materials Medal: Bronze
Ribbon: Synthetic Fabric
Fiber board
Plastic
 Inventory Number A20060162000 Credit Line Donated by the Family of Maj. John S. Henderson (USMC) Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.