"A" Device

The American Defense Service Medal was the first military award to use the "A" device which was named the "Atlantic Device" (sometimes was referred to as the "Axis Device"). The "A" device was authorized for wear (in lieu of a ​³⁄₁₆ inch bronze star that was worn in lieu of a service clasp on the award)[1] on the medal and service ribbon by any member of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, or United States Coast Guard who served on certain vessels in the Atlantic Ocean between June 22 and December 7, 1941[1] which engaged in armed conflict, or potential armed conflict, with Axis forces in the Atlantic (naval forces of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine). Such personnel were awarded the American Defense Service Medal with the "Atlantic Device" (Atlantic Fleet service), the intent being to recognize those who had participated in the "undeclared war" when the U.S. was assisting Britain with war convoys and German U-boat interdiction.[2]

Air Force Overseas Service Ribbon (Short Tour) with Arctic Device

The "A" device became obsolete after the Second World War and did not appear again until the year 2002 (authorized on February 10, 2002). At that time, the United States Air Force declared that the "A" device, now known as the "Arctic Device", would be authorized for wear for those who had received the Air Force Overseas Ribbon - Short Tour, for tours of duty north of the Arctic Circle.[3]

As of February 8, 2007, only those airmen (Air Force active, Reserve, or Guard) who were assigned to Thule Air Base (north-east Greenland) qualify for the "A" (Arctic) device. Although portions of Alaska are within the Arctic Circle, there are no American military bases within that region. The "A" is worn on the center of the ribbon except when worn with oak leaf clusters. Whenever oak leaf clusters are authorized for wear on the ribbon, the "A" is placed to the wearer's right of the oak leaf clusters on the ribbon.[4] Only one "A" device may be worn on the ribbon.