Decorations and Medals / Military / Campaign and Service Medals / World War I Victory Medal

Campaign and Service Medals
World War I Victory Medal


Description
The medal is Bronze and 1 3/8 inches in diameter. On the obverse is a winged Victory, standing full length and full face. On the reverse is the inscription THE GREAT WAR FOR CIVILIZATION and the United States shield with the letters U.S. surmounted by a fasces, and on either side the names of the allied and associated nations. The lapel button is a five-pointed star 5/8-inch in diameter on a wreath with the letters U.S. in the center.

Ribbon

The medal is suspended by a ring from a silk ribbon 1 3/8 inches in width, representing two rainbows placed in juxtaposition and having the red in the middle.


Criteria

See Army Regulation 600-8-22, Military Awards.

Battle clasps were awarded for each of the major operations for individuals actually present under competent orders. The clasps, with a star on each side of the name of the campaign or one of the defensive sectors, were worn on the suspension ribbon for the following campaigns:

  • Cambrai: 20 May - 4 Dec 1917
  • Somme Defensive: 21 Mar - 6 Apr 1918
  • Lys: 9 Apr - 27 Apr 1918
  • Aisne: 27 May - 5 Jun 1918
  • Montdidier-Noyon: 9 Jun - 13 Jun 1918
  • Champagne-Marne: 18 Jul - 6 Aug 1918
  • Aisne-Marne: 18 Jul - 6 Aug 1918
  • Somme Offensive: 8 Aug - 11 Nov 1918
  • Oise-Aisne: 18 Aug - 11 Nov 1918
  • Ypres-Lys: 19 Aug - 11 Nov 1918
  • St. Mihiel: 12-16 Sep 1918
  • Meuse-Argonne: 26 Sep - 11 Nov 1918
  • Vittorio-Veneto: 24 Oct - 4 Nov 1918
  • Defense Sector 

Clasps were awarded to personnel who served overseas in one of the following areas and were not entitled to a battle clasp:

  • England: 6 Apr 1917 - 11 Nov 1918
  • France: 6 Apr 1917 - 11 Nov 1918
  • Italy: 6 Apr 1917 - 11 Nov 1918
  • Siberia: Any service in Siberia
  • Russia: Any service in European Russia

The lapel button is bronze, except that personnel who were wounded in action were awarded a silver lapel button.


Components

The following components are authorized:

a. Medal (regular and miniature sizes): MIL-DTL-3943/236.

b. Ribbon: MIL-DTL-11589/148.

c. Lapel Button: MIL-DTL-11484/47

d. Streamers. Streamers are displayed on the organizational flag to represent campaign participation. The inscription on the organizational streamer will be as indicated in the unit's lineage and honors.


Background

The medal was established by an Act of Congress, 1919, and promulgated by War Department General Order 48, 1919, which was rescinded by War Department General Order 83, 30 June 1919.

The 14 Allied Nations decided on a single ribbon, but pendant design was left up to each Nation. Mr. James E. Fraser was the designer of the U.S. Victory Medal.

The Victory Medal ribbon pattern is used in thirteen streamers displayed on the Army flag to represent World War I service. The inscriptions for the streamers displayed on the Army flag are listed in AR 840-10.






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