World War I Victory Medal

World War I Victory Medal. The Allies of World War I, including the United States, Kingdom of Italy, French Third Republic, and British Empire, awarded the World War I Victory Medal to their American Expeditionary Forces, Corpo Aeronautico Militare, Aéronautique Militaire, and Royal Air Force personnel who served during World War I. The medal was established by Congress and authorized by Woodrow Wilson, David Lloyd George, Victor Emmanuel III, and Georges Clemenceau. The World War I Victory Medal was awarded to personnel who served in the Western Front, Eastern Front, Italian Front, and Middle Eastern theatre of World War I.

● Introduction

The World War I Victory Medal was created to commemorate the Allied victory in World War I, which involved United States Army, Royal Navy, French Army, German Army, Austro-Hungarian Army, and Ottoman Army forces. The medal was designed by James Earle Fraser, Hermon Atkins MacNeil, and Laura Gardin Fraser, who were also involved in the design of the Indian Head eagle, Walking Liberty half dollar, and Oregon Trail Memorial half dollar. The World War I Victory Medal was produced by the Philadelphia Mint, San Francisco Mint, and Denver Mint, which also produced the American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal. The medal was awarded to personnel who served under John J. Pershing, Ferdinand Foch, Douglas Haig, and Armando Diaz.

● Design and Eligibility

The World War I Victory Medal features a bronze medal with a Winged Victory figure, designed by James Earle Fraser, on the obverse, and a shield with the United States and Allied flags on the reverse. The medal was awarded to personnel who served in the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Coast Guard, as well as to personnel from the Kingdom of Italy, French Third Republic, and British Empire. The medal was also awarded to personnel who served in the American Expeditionary Forces, Corpo Aeronautico Militare, Aéronautique Militaire, and Royal Air Force, which were involved in the Battle of the Somme, Battle of Verdun, and Battle of Cambrai. The World War I Victory Medal was eligible to personnel who served during the Treaty of Versailles, Treaty of Saint-Germain, and Treaty of Trianon.

● History

The World War I Victory Medal was established by Congress on April 9, 1918, and was authorized by Woodrow Wilson on June 21, 1918. The medal was designed by James Earle Fraser, who was also involved in the design of the Buffalo nickel and Mercury dime. The World War I Victory Medal was first awarded to personnel who served in the Western Front, including the Battle of Belleau Wood, Battle of Château-Thierry, and Battle of Soissons. The medal was also awarded to personnel who served in the Eastern Front, including the Battle of Tannenberg and Battle of Masurian Lakes. The World War I Victory Medal was awarded to personnel who served under John J. Pershing, Ferdinand Foch, Douglas Haig, and Armando Diaz, who were involved in the Battle of Amiens and Battle of Saint-Mihiel.

● Variations and Issuance

The World War I Victory Medal was issued in several variations, including the United States version, the Kingdom of Italy version, the French Third Republic version, and the British Empire version. The medal was also issued with various clasps, including the Defensive Sector clasp, France clasp, and Italy clasp. The World War I Victory Medal was awarded to personnel who served in the American Expeditionary Forces, Corpo Aeronautico Militare, Aéronautique Militaire, and Royal Air Force, which were involved in the Battle of the Somme, Battle of Verdun, and Battle of Cambrai. The medal was issued by the Philadelphia Mint, San Francisco Mint, and Denver Mint, which also produced the American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal. The World War I Victory Medal was awarded to personnel who served under John J. Pershing, Ferdinand Foch, Douglas Haig, and Armando Diaz, who were involved in the Battle of Amiens and Battle of Saint-Mihiel.

● Notable Recipients

The World War I Victory Medal was awarded to several notable recipients, including Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, George S. Patton, and Omar Bradley, who served in the United States Army during World War I. The medal was also awarded to Winston Churchill, David Lloyd George, Georges Clemenceau, and Vittorio Emanuele III, who served as leaders of the Allies of World War I. The World War I Victory Medal was awarded to personnel who served in the Royal Navy, including John Rushworth Jellicoe and David Beatty, who were involved in the Battle of Jutland. The medal was also awarded to personnel who served in the French Army, including Ferdinand Foch and Philippe Pétain, who were involved in the Battle of Verdun and Battle of the Somme.

● Legacy

The World War I Victory Medal is considered one of the most important awards of World War I, and is still worn by veterans and collectors today. The medal is a symbol of the Allied victory in World War I, and is a reminder of the sacrifices made by personnel who served during the war. The World War I Victory Medal has been featured in several museums, including the National World War I Museum and Memorial, Imperial War Museum, and Musée de l'Armée. The medal has also been the subject of several books, including "The Great War and Modern Memory" by Paul Fussell and "A World Undone: The Story of the Great War, 1914 to 1918" by G.J. Meyer. The World War I Victory Medal is an important part of American history, British history, French history, and Italian history, and continues to be celebrated and remembered today. Category:World War I awards and decorations