[1] The award, designed by Anthony de Francisci, was issued for wear on the left lapel of civilian clothing upon discharge.

[2] During World War II, enlisted members of the armed forces were forbidden to possess civilian clothing unless they were under specific orders to do so.

In pre-war conditions, discharged veterans typically donned civilian clothing when returning home, but this was logistically difficult during wartime and immediate post-war America.

Approximately 16 million men and women served in the uniformed services during the crisis, most of whom were scheduled to be discharged within a short period of time during the general demobilization at the end of the war.

It also appeared on a U.S. postage stamp honoring World War II veterans and was widely used as a popular symbol of their service.