American Theater

The American Theater of World War II was considered a military area of operations encompassing the mainland United States and extended to the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The area also encompassed parts of the Baja California Peninsula and the Pacific Coast.

The American Theater was important in submarine warfare in that North Atlantic convoys fell into the region of the Atlantic Theater en route from the United States to Great Britain. In theory, had the Axis Powers ever invaded the United States, the American theater would have been the front line battlefield. Provisions were also in place to encompass all of Mexico and South America into the American Theater, had Japan ever attempted to occupy any areas of those locations.

The American Campaign Medal was the service medal established for performing duty in the American Theater. One year of service was required for the medal to be awarded.