Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, CA.
World War I Victory Medal
Artifact ID1981.33140.01
Object Type
Medal
Gifter
Edward Adams
Date
1921
Medium
Metal, Ribbon
Dimensions1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm)
Physical DescriptionA copper World War I victory medal with ribbon. The front of the bronze medal features a winged Victory holding a shield and sword on the front. The back of the bronze medal features text stating "THE GREAT WAR FOR CIVILIZATION" curved along the top of the medal. Curved along the bottom of the back of the medal are six stars, three on either side of the center column of seven staffs wrapped in a cord. The top of the staff has a round ball on top and is winged on the side. The staff is on top of a shield that says "U" on the left side of the staff and "S" on the right side of the staff. On the left side of the staff, it lists one World War I Allied country per line: France, Italy, Serbia, Japan, Montenegro, Russia, and Greece. On the right side of the staff, the Allied countries' names read: Great Britain, Belgium, Brazil, Portugal, Romania, and China.Historical NoteWorld War I Victory Medal, originally known as the Victory Medal. 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 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. 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medal was established by an Act of Congress, 1919, and promulgated by War Department General Order 48, 1919, which was rescinded by War Department General Order 83, 30 June 1919.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 medal was awarded to personnel who served overseas generally from 1917-1918.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from a member of the general public to President Ronald Reagan during the Reagan administration. It was received through the Executive Office of the President Office of Correspondence and maintained there until its transfer to the National Archives in January, 1989 for deposit with the Reagan Presidential Library.
National Archives Catalog CollectionRecords of the White House Gift Unit (Reagan Administration) (National Archives Identifier 6816362) and
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from the General Public (National Archives Identifier 6816363)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestricted
Use Restriction NoteReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
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