Norman Rockwell's paintings of the Four Freedoms succeeded in raising more than $133 million in war-bond purchases.
The Bronze medal is 1 3/8 inches in width. On the obverse is a figure of Liberation standing full length with head turned to dexter looking to the dawn of a new day, right foot resting on a war god’s helmet with the hilt of a broken sword in the right hand and the broken blade in the left hand, the inscription "WORLD WAR II" placed immediately below the center. On the reverse are the inscriptions "FREEDOM FROM FEAR AND WANT" and "FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND RELIGION" separated by a palm branch, all within a circle composed of the words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1941 - 1945."
The World War II Victory Medal was established by an Act of Congress on 6 July 1945 (Public Law 135, 79th Congress) and promulgated by Section V, War Department Bulletin 12, 1945.
Designed by Mr. Thomas H. Jones and approved by the Secretary of War on 05 February, 1946.
The medal was awarded to all military personnel for service between 07 December, 1941 and 31 December, 1946.
Photo of medal belonging to Gerald O. Day
["Four Freedoms" speech found in The Congressional Record, 77th Congress, first session 1941, Volume 87, Part 1, 45 - 47.]
FDR's annual message to Congress on the State of the Union: 06 January, 1941:
WWII Victory Medal
SECTION 2.
Back of medal belonging to Gerald O. Day