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The Inter Allied Victory Medal (Siam)

The Siam (or Thailand) Victory Medal was established in 1919, soon after the country declared war on Germany and sent a expeditionary force.

  • Time Period: World War I
  • Institution: 1919
  • Country: Siam

The Allied Victory Medal was recommended by an inter-allied committee in March 1919. Fourteen victorious countries finally awarded the medal after World War I, and each allied nation would design a ‘Victory Medal’ for award to their own nationals. Certain features were to be shared: a winged figure of Victory on the obverse and the same ribbon.

Siam declared war on Germany on 22 June 1917, after the USA’s entry to gain allied recognition of Thailand’s sovereignty in international affairs, and send an expeditionary force to France in July 1918. The official reason was to respond to Germany’s policy of unrestricted submarine warfare.

The medal (about 1,500 of them) were given to all the officers and soldiers of the task force, sailors that transported them and the royalty and staff officers.

The Siam Inter-Allied Victory Medal Design

The Victory Medal measures 36 millimetres (1.4 in) in diameter and was designed by William McMillan. The design and ribbon was also adopted by Belgium, Brazil, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, France, Greece, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Romania, Siam, Union of South Africa and the USA. Each allied nation would design a ‘Victory Medal’ for award to their own nationals, all issues having certain common features, including a winged figure of victory on the obverse and the same ribbon.

The obverse of the medal was designed by Prince Iddhidebsan Kritakara (1890-1935) and is presumed to have been manufactured at the Royal Thai Mint. There were two contemporary un-official versions, distinguishable by the ear of Vishnu being covered in all. Because Siamese culture didn’t have the traditional Western figure of victory, they instead used the image of a deity based on Vishnu riding the mythical bird Garuda holding, in its four hands, a club, a disk, a conch shell, and a lotus flower.

The reverse bears the inscription in Thai letters for ‘THE GREAT WAR FOR CIVILISATION’, within a lotus-decorated border.

The 39 millimeters (1.5 in) wide watered ribbon has an iridescent color scheme, with the violet moving through to a central red stripe where both schemes meet. It attaches to the medal through a ring suspender. The recipient’s name, rank, service number and unit were impressed on the edge of the medal. The name of the regiment or corps was omitted on medals awarded to Army officers.

All the Inter-Allied Victory Medal Variations

Although each country designed its own version of the Inter-Allied Victory Medal, all of them shared some common elements, such as a winged victory figure on the obverse and a similar ribbon with rainbow colors symbolizing unity among the Allies. Here are the versions for all countries:

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The Order Of Cyril And Methodius

The Order Of Cyril And Methodius is a Bulgarian medal established on 13 December 1950 and awarded to Bulgarian and foreign citizens and organizations for merit in sciences, culture and information.

There are two variations of this award, originally one which is numbered and then issued later, one which is unnumbered. The medal was designed by P. Doychinov and O. Odabashja.

The award exists in three classes:

  • 1st Class
  • 2nd Class
  • 3rd Class

The Laureate Of The Dimitrov Prize

The Honored Honorary Title is a Bulgarian medal awarded to people for their achievements in science, technology, and culture. It was established on 23 May 1949 and founded by the Presidium of the Great National Assembly.

The award was named after the communist leader Georgi Dimitrov, who was the Bulgarian Prime Minister from 1946-1949. Recipients of this prize were given the label “Laureate”.

From 1960 onwards this class was the only class awarded as the 2nd and 3rd class awards ceased to be issued after 1959. The reverse inscription includes the year in which the recipient attained the Title.

There were approximately 1285 prizes awarded in total.

The Honored Honorary Title (Bulgaria)

The Honored Honorary Title is a Bulgarian medal awarded to people for their exceptional merits in the field of arts, culture, science, education and health. It was established by decree No. 960 of the Presidium of the 6th Grand National Assembly on 15 June 1948.

Initially, it was awarded by the Presidium of the National Assembly, and after 1971 by the National Council of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria. Those honored with the title of “Honored” receive a diploma from the National Council of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria, the mark of the title, and a supplement to the monthly salary or pension. 4753 people are honored with the title of “Honored”.

The People’s Honorary Title (Bulgaria)

The People’s Honorary Title is a Bulgarian medal awarded to Bulgarian citizens already recognized with the Honoured title for their exceptional merits in the field of arts, culture, science, education and health. It was established by decree No. 960 of the Presidium of the 6th Grand National Assembly on June 15, 1948.

This title is the third-highest honorary title in the prize system of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria. Initially, it was awarded by the Presidium of the National Assembly, and after 1971 by the National Council of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria.

People with the title “People’s” receive a diploma from the National Council of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria and a supplement to the monthly salary or pension of 100 BGN.

The 1941-45 Great East Asia War Medal

The 1941-45 Great East Asia War Medal (Daitōa sensō jūgun kishō) is a Japanese medal established on June 21, 1944 by Imperial Edict No. 417.

  • Time Period: WW2
  • Institution: 7 December 1944
  • Country: Medals from Japan Japan

The 1941-45 Great East Asia War Medal (or 大東亜戦争従軍記章, Daitōa sensō jūgun kishō in Japanese) was a Japanese medal established on June 21, 1944 by Imperial Edict No. 417.

It’s not clear to whom this medal would have been awarded, but it was likely designed to become a common medal
like the China Incident War Medal. After the war ended in defeat, the circa 10,000 struck medals were destroyed by the American occupying forces.

To commemorate the 35th Anniversary of the end of the war, a new series of medals were struck by the Nihon Gouyuu Renmei, which may be translated as Federation of Japan Nationalists. The new medal bears the inscription ‘Great East Asia War, Showa 16 [1941] December 8th to Showa 20 [1945] August 15th.’

The 1941-45 Great East Asia War Medal Design

The medal was designed by the famous sculptor and designer Hinago Jitsuzou (1892-1945). It’s a a tin alloy on jointed suspension bar. The attached bar reads ‘War Medal.’

The obverse has a central Imperial Mum crest imposed on two crossed Japanese swords and, a rayed star and a ring of blossoms on the rim. The reverse a map of East Asia, inscribed with characters meaning ‘Great East Asia War Medal’.

Several post-war replicas made for veterans in the 1960s.

The 1937-45 China Incident War Medal

The China Incident Medal was established in 1939 and awarded for service at any time from the 12th to the 20th years of the Shōwa period.

  • Time Period: WW2
  • Institution: 7 December 1939
  • Country: Medals from Japan Japan

The China Incident Medal (or 支那事変従軍記章, Sina jihen jūgun kishō) was established by Imperial Edit No. 496 on July 27, 1939 and awarded for service in China at any time from the 12th through the 20th years of the Shōwa period (1937–1945).

An amendment was promulgated by Imperial Edict No. 418 in 1944, and the decoration was abolished in 1946 by government ordinance No. 177. Although the Japanese government still uses “China Incident” in formal documents, media in Japan often paraphrase it with other expressions like Japan-China Incident (日華事変, Nikka jihen) or (日支事変, Nisshi jihen). 

This medal is one of the most commonly found Japanese awards. Millions were made for those who served.

The China Incident Medal Design

The medal is struck in bronze and has a swivel grip.

The obverse shows crossed flags, the imperial mum crest, and a crow. The reverse shows mountains, clouds, and waves, as well as the inscription ‘China Incident.’ The ribbon is 37mm wide, watered, of 3 mm blue (the
sea and the Navy), 7.5 mm tan (the soil of China, for the Army), 3.5 mm dark pink (the bloodstained soil of China), and 2 mm bright red (blood and loyalty).

The Inter Allied Victory Medal (Japan)

The Allied Victory Medal was recommended by an inter-allied committee in March 1919. The Japanese Medal was established by Imperial Edict.

The Allied Victory Medal was recommended by an inter-allied committee in March 1919. Fourteen victorius countries finally awarded the medal after World War I, and each allied nation would design a ‘Victory Medal’ for award to their own nationals. Certain features were to be shared: a winged figure of Victory on the obverse and the same ribbon.

The Japanese Allied Victory Medal was established by Imperial Edict #406 on 17 September 1920.

The Japan Inter Allied Victory Medal Design

The Victory Medal measures 36 millimetres (1.4 in) in diameter and was designed by William McMillan. The design and ribbon was also adopted by Belgium, Brazil, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, France, Greece, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Romania, Siam, Union of South Africa and the USA. Each allied nation would design a ‘Victory Medal’ for award to their own nationals, all issues having certain common features, including a winged figure of victory on the obverse and the same ribbon.

Japan’s obverse design was different from all other versions as it did not depict the goddess Victory. This figure from Roman mythology would have no connection to Japanese culture, so a depiction of Takemikazuchi, the war god in Japanese mythology occupies the obverse of the medal. Takemikazuchi (建御雷/武甕槌) is considered a god of thunder and a sword god.

The reverse shows the words ‘THE GREAT / WAR FOR / CIVILISATION / 1914-1919‘  surrounded by a laurel wreath.

The 39 millimeters (1.5 in) wide watered ribbon has an iridescent color scheme, with the violet moving through to a central red stripe where both schemes meet. It attaches to the medal through a ring suspender. The recipient’s name, rank, service number and unit were impressed on the edge of the medal. The name of the regiment or corps was omitted on medals awarded to Army officers.

All the Inter-Allied Victory Medal Variations

Although each country designed its own version of the Inter-Allied Victory Medal, all of them shared some common elements, such as a winged victory figure on the obverse and a similar ribbon with rainbow colors symbolizing unity among the Allies. Here are the versions for all countries:

Find an Inter-Allied Victory Medal Online

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Clicking a link to eBay may result in a referral commission being paid if a purchase is made.
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The 1914-20 First World War Medal

The 1914-20 First World War Medal is a Japanese medal established in 1915 to commemorate Japanese participation in World War I.

  • Time Period: WW1
  • Institution: 1915
  • Country: Medals from Japan Japan

The 1914-20 First World War Medal is a Japanese medal established on November 6, 1915 by Imperial Edict No. 203 to commemorate Japanese participation in World War I.

The medal was issued to naval personnel who served in the Japanese fleet in the Mediterranean during the Great War and to the military participating in the Japanese expedition to Siberia from 1918 to 1922 aimed at the Soviet Bolsheviks during the Russian Civil War that followed the October 1917 revolution.

The 1914-20 First World War Medal Design

The award is a blackened bronze circular medal with ornate swivel suspension with bar inscribed ‘ju-gun-ki-sho’ (War Medal).

The obverse bears with crossed Imperial army and navy flags, a chrysanthemum crest above, sprays of pauwlona below. The reverse shows ten characters in three columns ‘tai-sho-san-nen-nai-shi-kyu-nen-sen-eki’ (Taisho 3rd Year to 9th Year War’ – Taisho 3 to 9 = AD1914 to 1920).

The ribbon has a hook and eye fittings. The medal was issued in a fitted wooden case with pale cream felt lining, the lid embossed in gilt characters ‘tai-sho-san-nen-nai-shi-kyu-nen-sen-eki-ju-gun-ki-sho’ (Taisho 3-9 War Military Service Medal).

The Russo-Japanese War Medal

The Russo-Japanese War Medal was established in 1906 in recognition of those who served in the Russo-Japanese War during the Meiji period.

The Russo-Japanese War Medal is a unique Japanese medal, jūgun kishō. It was established on March 31, 1906 by Imperial Edict No. 51 in recognition of those who served in the Russo-Japanese War during the 37th and 38th years of the Meiji period (1904–1905).

The Russo-Japanese War was fought between the Russian Empire and the Empire of Japan over rival imperial ambitions in Manchuria and Korea. The major theatres of operations were the Liaodong Peninsula and Mukden in Southern Manchuria and the seas around Korea, Japan and the Yellow Sea.