The Inter Allied Victory Medal (United States)

Time Period: WW1
Institution: 1919
Country: United States

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 American Victory Medal was awarded to military personnel for service between April 6, 1917, and November 11, 1918 with the American Expeditionary Forces in European Russia (November 12, 1918 to August 5, 1919) or the American Expeditionary Forces Siberia (November 23, 1918 to April 1, 1920).

Although originally intended to be established by an act of Congress, the bill authorizing the medal never passed and it had to be established by the military departments through general orders. The War Department published orders in April 1919, and the Navy on June 1919.

The Victory Medal was authorized with a large variety of devices to denote specific accomplishments, such as the Citation Star, Navy Commendation Star and several Battle Clasps.

The 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 features a winged Victory holding a shield and sword on the front. The reverse bears “The Great War For Civilization” in capital letters curved along the top of the medal. Along the bottom of the back are six stars, three on either side of the center column of seven staffs wrapped in a cord. On 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 country names read Great Britain, Belgium, Brazil, Portugal, Rumania(spelled with a U), andChina.

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

Each country involved in World War I had its own design and criteria for awarding the medal. These variations in design and inscription reflect the unique traditions and cultural aspects of each nation.