Page 29 - Anthology

The World War I Victory Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was first created in
1919. The medal was originally intended to be created due to an act of the United States Congress,
however the bill authorizing the decoration never passed, leaving the service departments to create the
award through general orders. The United States Army published orders authorizing the World War I
Victory Medal in April 1919 and the U.S. Navy followed in June of that same year.

Design

The front of the bronze medal features a winged Victory holding a shield and sword on the front. (A
winged victory is a female winged figure representing a classical goddess of victory) The back of the
bronze medal features "The Great War For Civilization" in all 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. 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 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 (at the time the common term for the United Kingdom), Belgium, Brazil, Portugal, Rumania
(spelled with a U instead of an O as it is spelled now), and China.

Note of Interest: During and shortly after WWI, those wounded or those who were killed in action were
awarded the 'Wound Chevron' and the silver version of the World War Victory (Lapel) Button. The Purple
Heart Medal did not exist as a purple ribbon with white edges or as a medal until 1932. Those wounded
after 1917 could request it be awarded. Mr. Young requested his and received it in 1940.