Recognition: 1988
In 1988, U. S. Congress passed Public Law 100-324, “Merchant Marine Decorations and Medals Act.” This Act marked the conclusion to a waiting period of decades for Merchant seamen (by then called Merchant Mariners) to receive medals in place of their ribbon bars; during the Second World War, the federal government awarded ribbons in place of medals to members of the military for their various campaigns with the tacit understanding that after the cessation of hostilities, individuals would receive medals. Merchant Mariners received no such promise but assumed as such. After a few years in design and committee, the U.S. Maritime Administration announced the availability of planchets for the ribbons issued from the Second World War through the Vietnam Conflict on 19 May 1992 – just in time for Maritime Day (22 May 1992). The long wait was over.
All the planchets were designed by staff sculptors at the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry (TIOH). Work in the reverse most probably began in 1990, since the Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal (which shares the same reverse as the various Second War Medals) was designed in 1990 and first awarded in 1991. Below find all the planchets followed by design notes from MARAD. Each is suspended from a drape using the same pattern as the originally awarded ribbon bar – the moire effect suffered, though.
The Combat Bar and the Gallant Ship Citation ribbon remained ribbons without corresponding medals. All other previously awarded medals were not redesigned.
Atlantic War Zone Medal 
Mediterranean-Middle East War Zone Medal 
Pacific War Zone Medal 
Merchant Marine Defense Medal 
Korean Service Medal 
Vietnam Service Medal
Click on the medal planchet for a larger image
Design
Merchant Marine Atlantic War Zone Medal: The compass rose is traditionally associated with maritime navigation and the superimposed triangle with duty and service other than in the Armed Forces. The eagle symbolizes the United States and freedom.
Merchant Marine Mediterranean-Middle East War Zone Medal: The shield and anchor symbolize a strong maritime service. The palms suggest the Mediterranean-Middle East area while denoting victory and achievement.
Merchant Marine Pacific War Zone: The trident, a symbol of naval prowess, rests upon a shaft of bamboo denoting the Pacific theater of operations. The seascape suggests maritime activities and service.
Merchant Marine Defense Medal: The shield and anchor, from the United States Maritime Service Seal, are superimposed on a ship’s wheel, denoting control and maritime service. The laurel branches symbolize achievement and excellence.
Merchant Marine Korean Service Medal: The tori gate and taeguk are traditionally associated with Korea. The ship’s chain alludes to maritime service.
Merchant Marine Vietnam Service Medal: The dragon is traditionally associated with Vietnam, the shoreline denotes service in the coastal waters adjacent to Vietnam and the anchor symbolizes maritime service. An alternate design for the lettering had “Vietnam Service” in Wonton font – it was deemed inappropriate for the medal and changed to a serif font. The font in question, potentially culturally offensive, was often used to imitate brushstrokes of an exotic East, and contemporary Vietnam used Western-type letters in print and script. This medal takes a cue from the Thomas Hudson Jones-designed Vietnam Service medal with its inclusion of the dragon – Mr. Jones was the prolific designer of U. S. military medals; he was responsible for some forty medals, including the WWII Victory Medal, thus the nod is understandable).