The "A" Device is a miniature bronze inch letter "A" which comes with and without serifs, that is authorized for wear by the United States Armed Forces as a medal and ribbon device for two military awards. It is added to overseas service ribbons to indicate the theatre of action. The Arctic "A" Device, if authorized, may be attached to the center of the Air Force Overseas Ribbon - Short Tour, for service beginning February 10, 2002. If an oak leaf cluster is also authorized for wear on the ribbon, the "A" device is worn to the wearer's right of any oak leaf clusters on the ribbon. The Atlantic "A" Device, if authorized, may be attached to the center of the suspension and service ribbon of the American Defense Service Medal for service from June 22 to December 7, 1941. The "A" device is worn in lieu of any authorized inch bronze star that is worn on the medal and service ribbon.
History
The "A" Device is only authorized for the currently in use Air Force Overseas Ribbon - Short Tour, and the American Defense Service Medal which is no longer in use. The two representations of the "A" device are different. The Arctic Device has serifs while the Atlantic Device does not have "feet".
Atlantic Device (World War II)
The American Defense Service Medal was the first military award to use the "A" device which was named the "Atlantic Device". The "A" device was authorized for wear 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 which engaged in armed conflict, or potential armed conflict, with Axis forces in the Atlantic. Such personnel were awarded the American Defense Service Medal with the "Atlantic Device", 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.
Arctic Device (USAF)
The "A" device became obsolete after the Second World War and did not appear again until the year 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. As of February 8, 2007, only those airmen who were assigned to Thule Air Base qualify for the "A" 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. Only one "A" device may be worn on the ribbon.
