World War I Victory Medal

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A World War I Victory Medal designed by the American sculptor, James Earle Fraser, and issued by the United States Army or Navy in 1919. The bronze medal consists of a horizontal metal band with the word "FRANCE" across the front, which demonstrates the the original recipient of this medal completed thier service during WWI in France. This medal band is attached to a rainbow colored piece of ribbon. Attached to the bottom of the ribbon is the medal itself which features a winged Victory holding a shield and sword on the front. The back of the medal features "THE GREAT WAR FOR CIVILIZATION" in capital letters 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.

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