This medal's obverse bears front-facing eagle in flight over ocean, holding wreath in its talons, between two rows of pylons; Statue of Liberty on horizon under wreath. Above, ERECTED BY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN PROUD / AND GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE OF HER SONS WHO GAVE / THEIR LIVES IN HER SERVICE AND WHO SLEEP IN THE / AMERICAN COASTAL WATER OF THE ATLANTIC OCEAN; below, INTO THY HANDS O LORD; under Statue of Liberty, MCMXLI - MCMXLV; signed at lower right, A.MANCA 1963 ©
The reverse bears an eagle in flight, talons clutching a branch of oak in front of mountains under sky with thirteen stars. At left, eternal flame burning on waves with number 4596 beneath. Above, WE SHALL PAY ANY PRICE / BEAR ANY BURDEN - MEET ANY HARDSHIP / SUPPORT ANY FRIEND - OPPOSE ANY FOE / TO ASSURE THE SURVIVAL OF LIBERTY / JOHN F. KENNEDY below around: EAST COAST MEMORIAL NEW YORK DEDICATED MAY 23, 1963. Signed and dated along edge at bottom, ALBINO MANCA 1963
The East Coast War Memorial honors the 4,596 missing American servicemen who lost their lives in the Atlantic Ocean while engaged in combat during World War II between 1941 and 1945.
Erected in 1963 in Battery Park, at the southern end of Manhattan and designed by the architectural firm of Gehron and Seltzer, it was dedicated by President John F. Kennedy. The memorial's centerpiece is Albino Manca's massive, 23 feet tall bronze eagle, set on a black granite pedestal. It holds a laurel wreath and sits upon an ocean wave. This is to signify the act of mourning at sea.
The circular medal measures 64mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York.
References: MACo 1963-002