War Medal 1939-1945

The War Medal was instituted on 16 August 1945 and was awarded to all members of the British and Commonwealth forces and merchant marine for 28 days service regardless of location between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. Over 700,000 were awarded to Canadian military personnel and 4,450 to the Canadian merchant marine. If a recipient of the War Medal had been awarded a Mentioned-in-Despatches (MID) a single oak leaf emblem was worn on the ribbon. The War Medal awarded to Canadians was produced at the Royal Canadian Mint, Ottawa, and was made of .800 silver.