| Defence Medal 1940–1945 Deltagermedaljen | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | War medal |
| Awarded for | Participation in the defence of Norway 1940-1945 |
| Presented by | Norway |
| Eligibility | Military personnel and merchant sailors |
| Status | May still be awarded |
| Established | 19 September 1945 |
 Ribbon bar of the medal | |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | King's Medal of Merit in Silver |
| Next (lower) | H. M. The Kings Medal of Merit for Service in the Home Guard |
TheDefence Medal 1940–1945 (Norwegian:Deltagermedaljen 9. april 1940 - 8. mai 1945/Deltakarmedaljen 9. april 1940 - 8. mai 1945) is the award rewarded to those military and civilian personnel who participated in the fight against the Germaninvasion andoccupation of Norway between 1940 and 1945.
The Defence Medal 1940–1945[1] can be awarded both toNorwegian and foreign citizens. The medal may still be awarded due to the large number of participants in the defence of Norway duringWorld War II and the difficulties tracking down all eligible recipients.[2]
The medal is in bronze. On the obverse is the coat of arms with the inscription9 April 1940 - 8 Mai 1945. On the reverse is the royal flag, the flag and national flag. Above these a narrow circle with the inscriptionDELTAGER I KAMPEN (Participant in the struggle). The image is surrounded by a chain. The band is in the Norwegian national colors. The band can be fitted with arosette if the recipient has distinguished himself several times. The medal is made by the goldsmith firm ofJ. Tostrup inOslo.[3]
As of 2017, the Defence Medal 1940–1945 ranks as 23rd ofthe Norwegian decorations.[1]
The medal was awarded to those meeting one of the following criteria:[2]