Obverse: Head of King George VI. Legend: 'GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX : F:D : IND : IMP'. Reverse: An oak tree and Royal crown supported by lions rampant, their heads turned away. Inscription: '1939', '1945'. Exergue: 'THE DEFENCE MEDAL'. Uninscribed: Awarded to Cdr.J L Younghusband DSC. Mounted on a bar with seven other medals. Fitted with a bar and orange ribbon with pale green edges divided by a narrow black stripe. Emblem: Silver laurel leaves. (King's commendation for brave conduct. Civil.) [Emblem is missing].

John Leslie Younghusband was born in 1899 in India, the son of Captain Leslie Napier Younghusband, Bengal Lancers. Entering the Royal Navy in 1912, he gained experience in destroyers during World War I. Between 31 July 1939 and 22 August 1940, he saw active service in command of HMS 'Wild Swan', landing a demolition party to destroy oil reserves in the Netherlands and France. 'Wild Swan' also assisted in the evacuation of British troops from Northern France. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and was mentioned in despatches. He spent the remainder of the war in shore commands, retiring with the rank of commander in on 8 September 1944. He had married Catherine Beatrice Hamilton Fisher in 1927. He died in Winchester on 4 September 1966.