Item number: M338

Year: AD 1960-1980

Material: Bronze

Size: 53.4 x 16.9 x 3.0 mm

Weight: 6.4 g

Provenance: Antiques of Warwick 2024

The China Service Medal was established by the U.S. Navy on July 1, AD 1942, under General Order No. 176. It was created to recognise U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel who served in China or its surrounding areas between AD 1937 and AD 1939, with a later extension covering service from AD 1945 to AD 1957.

This miniature version of the China Service Medal is circular and made of bronze. This medal is a reproduction from the period between AD 1960 and AD 1980. The obverse features a Chinese junk ship riding on waves, surrounded by the inscription “CHINA SERVICE.” The reverse displays the U.S. Navy emblem—a bald eagle perched on an anchor. Surrounding the eagle are the words “FOR SERVICE” and “UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS.” The medal is attached by a ring to a yellow ribbon with red stripes.

The U.S. Navy’s activities in China date back to AD 1844 when the Treaty of Wanghia was signed, granting American warships access to Chinese ports. In AD 1902, the United States established the “Asiatic Fleet” specifically for managing affairs in China. In AD 1937, during Japan’s attack on Nanjing, the American gunboat USS Panay, patrolling the Yangtze River, was attacked by Japanese forces, sparking a diplomatic incident. During World War II in AD 1943, the Asiatic Fleet was reorganised into the “Seventh Fleet,” which remains a key military presence in Asia to this day.

物件編號: M338

年代: 公元 1960-1980 年

材質: 青銅

尺寸: 53.4 x 16.9 x 3.0 mm

重量: 6.4 g

來源: 沃里克古董 2024

這是公元1942年7月1日，美國海軍通過〈第 176 號命令〉為獎勵公元1937至1939年，後續追加公元1945至1957年在中國境內和周遭服役的美國海軍、陸戰隊和海岸巡防隊所設立的「中國服役獎章」。

這枚物件為迷你版，獎章形制為圓形，材質為青銅。這枚獎章是公元1960-1980年的復刻品。獎章正面是一艘在浪濤上的中式戎克船，周圍為英文銘文「CHINA SERVICE」(中國服役) 字樣環繞。背面是美國海軍的軍徽意象，一隻站在船錨上的白頭海鵰。鷹徽兩側和上半部有英文銘文「FOR SERVICE」(服役) 和「UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS」(美國海軍陸戰隊) 字樣。獎章頂端以一個圓環銜接綬帶，綬帶配色為黃底帶紅條紋。

美國海軍在中國的活動能上溯到公元1844年，美國和清廷簽訂《望廈條約》後，美國軍艦開始得以停靠在中國的港口。公元1902年，美國以「亞洲艦隊」專責在中國的相關事務。公元1937年，日軍向南京發動攻擊的期間，巡弋於長江的美軍「帕奈」號遭到日本攻擊還引發外交風波。公元1943年第二次世界大戰正酣之際，美軍將亞洲艦隊的編制合併為新的「第七艦隊」編制，成為至今在亞洲仍扮演重要角色的一股軍事力量。