David
Thu October 7, 2004 9:32am
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Air Force Medal
Air Force Medal (AFM) were instituted as the non-combat versions of the above awards, and as such they were awarded in much smaller numbers than their combat counterparts. In the period 1918-1919, there were 1079 DFCs awarded, and only 679 AFCs. DFM and AFM, for enlisted men and NCOs, were even rarer. Only 104 of the former and 102 of the latter were awarded for the same period.
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David
Thu October 7, 2004 9:35am
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The Albert Medals
The Albert Medals. Established in 1866 as life-saving medals, came in four variations, going through rules changes in 1877, 1905 and 1917.
The Albert Medal in Gold, hung from a blue ribbon with four narrow white stripes, was a 'first class' award for 'extreme or heroic daring' in saving life at sea. A 'second class' variation, named simply The Albert Medal, had its bronze medallion hung from a blue ribbon with two broad white stripes, was for saving life at sea that didn't quite qualify as 'extreme or heroic daring.'
Two "land" varitaions were also created for saving life on land. The land versions followed the same criteria but had red ribbons with white stripes. As a life-saving medal, this was not limited to war-time awards or combat action, but Albert Medals were awarded during the war. Awards were discontinued in 1971, with the George Cross taking its place.
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David
Thu October 7, 2004 9:45am
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Verdun Medal
Verdun Medal, created 20 november 1916, for issue to the soldiers in the battle for Verdun -- February to November 1916. There were six or seven different designs for the Verdun Medal's medallion. These were unofficial awards as far as the nation of France was concerned. As such, they could not be 'legally' worn on the military uniform as part of parade-dress.
They were awarded by the town itself, to Allied servicemen who fought between the Argonne and St.Mihel. As such, many American soldiers came back with this medal. Other versions of Verdun medal were struck as replacements, commemoratives, or just souviners, so possession of a Verdun medals does not necessarily denote active service in that area.
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David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:02pm
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Order of Alexander Nevsky
The Order of Alexander Nevsky was planned by Peter the Great as an exclusively military merit award, but he died before it had been awarded to anyone. During the reign of his wife Catherine, the order was established (1725) and bestowed on notable civilians as well as military heroes. Thus, the order had both civil and military awards, the latter being designated (after the mid-1800s) by crossed swords placed diagonally between the arms of the cross-shaped badge. The badge was worn at the left hip on a solid scarlet moire sash. A star of the order was worn on the left breast.
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David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:02pm
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Order of St. George
The Order of St. George, Imperial Russia's highest exclusively military order, was instituted in 1769 and came to be considered among the most prestigious military awards in the world, ranking just below the Order of St. Andrew the First Called. The order was awarded to officers and generals for special gallantry, such as, personally leading his troops in rout of a superior enemy force, or capturing a fortress, etc. Before membership in the Order could be granted, a candidate's case had to be investigated by a council composed of Knights of the Order.
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David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:05pm
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St. Anne's Medal for Sold
The St. Anne's Medal for Soldiers was a separate medal for enlisted men and NCOs. Foreign military personnel also received St. Anne's Medals for action in service to Russia during WWI, showing up among both Allied and German soldiers' awards.
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David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:05pm
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Russo-Japanese War Medal
Russo-Japanese War Medal. This is a service medal for a conflict that predates the Great War, but is included here since it was not uncommon to see among Great War soldiers' awards. This service medal was awarded in 1914, marking the 10th anniversary of the war with Japan. Since Russia did not 'win' that war, the Russian government was reluctant to issue any commemorative medals for the conflict. Veterans finally prevailed in seeing a medal issued. Following Russian custom, campaign medal ribbons were made with the colors of existing orders. For the Port Arthur medal, the colors of the Order of St. George and St. Alexander Nevsky. Examples exist in brass or bronze and in silver. Some have plain ribbons and some have the 'bow'. I do not know if these mark classes or grades, since this was a campaign medal, not a merit award. They may represent variations in style or issue only.
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David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:08pm
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Ordine della Santissima A
Ordine della Santissima Annunziata: one of the greatest chivalric orders of all times, comparable to the Habsburg's Golden Fleece, the Order of the Garter and the Supreme Order of Christ. While very exclusive, the collar was bestowed upon high ranking generals.
Established in 1362 by Amedeo VI of Savoy ("the Green Count"). While the founder had originally conceived an overall number of 15 members to honour the 15 "delights" of the Blessed Virgin (14 knights plus the Grand Master), in 1869 King Vittorio Emanuele II raised the number of knights from 14 to 20; but the Grand Master, the princes of his royal blood, clergymen and foreigners were supposed to be calculated as an extra to this fixed number. Untill the fall of monarchy, the Knighthood of the Holy Annunciation equalled nobility, and gave right to the title of "Excellency" and "Cousin of the King", with precedence, in all ceremonies, over the highest offices of state. The Annunziata's collar could be conferred on non-nobles, but not on non-catholics: this because of its deeply religious origins, and since the knights had many religious duties. Each collar exists in two versions: a greater one (to be used on New Year's Day, on Annunciation Day, on national holidays and in all solemn court cerimonies) and a smaller (for all other occasions). Collars were to be returned to the King after the death of a Knight. Nevertheless, during last decades many collars went missing, as the Duce's (Benito Mussolini) one. Although the medallion is worn suspended to a golden collar, a ribbon to be used on uniforms was indeed instituted by Royal Decree in 1924: it is purple (better: amaranthine) and bears a small golden badge (four-leaved clover-shaped) depicting the Annunciation "en miniature".
During the monarchy, this was to be placed above all other merits and awards. After the fall of monarchy the Italian Republican Government obviously denied acknowledgement of this order, which was never discontinued, being dynastic patrimony of the existing House of Savoy, and ist still, though very seldom, conferred.
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David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:12pm
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Turkish War Medal and Lib
Turkish War Medal and Libyan Medal. While Italy's war with Turkey predates WWI. We include these two related medals here since that conflict is intertwined with the Balkan Wars that ultimately culminated in the Great War. These medals may also appear among WWI veterans' awards.
- The two medals have identical ribbons of blue and red stripes. The obverses are also identical, carrying the likeness of King Vittorio Emanuele III. The turkish campaign medal was instituted by King Vittorio Emanuele III in November 1912. The reverse of the Turkish War medal bears the inscription "GUERRA ITALO-TURCA 1911-12". The Libyan medal was instituted by King Vittorio Emanuele III in September of 1913. The reverse of the Libya Medal bears the inscription, "LIBIA".
- The two may appear together on the same uniform. The medals could be frontally distinguished by the bars of the ribbon: a "1911-12" bar for the turkish campaign, a "1912" and/or "1913", or "1912-13" bar for the libyan campaign.
- A variant ribbon has been seen a few times for the Turkish War medal. It's significance is undetermined as yet.
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David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:20pm
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Navy Medal of Honor
The Navy Medal of Honor Created by an Act of Congress of December 21, 1861, and designed by Christian Schussel, this medal was awarded to Navy and Marine Corps personnel. Unlike the Army Medal of Honor, it was originally given for noncombat, as well as combat, heroism; many early awards were for lifesaving. After World War I, a new version of the medal was designed by Tiffany & Co as a combat-only decoration. On February 4, 1919, this version was authorized by Congress, primarily for personnel who had distinguished themselves in combat during WWI. The older form of the medal was awarded for noncombat heroism until 1942.
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David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:21pm
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Distinguished Service Cro
The Distinguished Service Cross Second only to the Medal of Honor for Army personnel, this decoration was created by executive order on January 2 1918 and authorized by Congress on July 9, 1918. It is awarded to "a person who while serving in any capacity with the Army, distinguished himself or herself by extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a Medal of Honor; while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing or foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing Armed Force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The act or acts of heroism must have been so notable and have involved risk of life so extraordinary as to set the individual apart from his or her comrades." During World War I, approximately 100 awards of an early variation of this medal known as the "French" or "first" style were also given. In this form, the arms of the cross were ornamented with oak leaves, the eagle was mounted on a diamond-shaped plaque, and the scroll bore the words "E Pluribus Unum", rather than the present-day "For Valor".
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David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:22pm
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Navy Cross
The Navy Cross This decoration was originally awarded for combat and noncombat heroism. Although most of the early awards were issued for World War I service, others were presented for heroism in rescue opertions involving submarine disasters. The medal was designed by James E. Fraser and was authorized by Congress on February 4, 1919. It was made a combat-only award in 1942 and was also given precedence over the Distinguished Service Medal at this time, making it the Navy's second highest decoration.
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David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:22pm
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Army Distinguished Servic
The Army Distinguished Service Medal Designed by Captain Aymar Embury, the designer of the Distinguished Service Cross, this medal was confirmed by an Act of Congress dated July 9, 1918. It was awarded to persons who distinguished themselves by "exceptionally meritorious service to the government in a duty of great responsibility" after April 6, 1917, in a combat or noncombat role. The first awards of this medal for service in World War I were to the commanders of the Allied armies. At the direction of the President of the United States, the medal was conferred upon Marshals Foch and Joffre and General Petain of France, Field Marshal Haig of Great Britain, General Diaz of Italy, and General Gillian of Belgium. It was also awarded to US General John J. Pershing "as a token of gratitude of the American people to the commander of our armies in the field for his distinguished service."
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David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:24pm
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Mexican Service Medal
Mexican Service Medal. The US Army, Navy and Marines issued a medal for Mexican service. The Mexican Service Medal for Navy and Marine Corps personnel. While barely connected with WWI, the Zimmerman Telegram incident prompts including this medal, as well, it may show up among WWI vets' awards.
It was originally authorized 11 February 1918 for award to officers and enlisted men who served ashore during the Vera Cruz expedition between April 21 and 23, 1914. Eligibility was quickly expanded to include personnel serving aboard 121 specific ships during specified periods from 21 April to 26 November 1914 and from 14 March 1916 to 7 February 1917. Navy and Marine Corps personnel who served in engagements with hostile Mexican forces outside those specific time periods were also eligible for award of the Mexican Service Medal.
The Army medal had on its obverse, a yucca shrub in flower, with moutains in the back ground. Around this, the text "MEXICAN SERVICE" -- "1911-1917."
The Navy and Marine Corps medal (shown above) depicted San Juan castle in Vera Cruz, with the same text surrounding it. The ribbons were the same for all branches. The reverses varied by branch, but were typical of their branch's medals.
In all, about 16,000 Navy personnel were awarded the Mexican Service Medal with "United States Navy" on the reverse and about 2,500 Marines received the medal with the United States Marine Corps reverse.
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David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:30pm
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Deutsche Ehrendenkm
Deutsche Ehrendenkm?nze des Weltkrieges der Deutschen Ehrenlegion.
(German Honorary World War Commemorative Medal of the German Legion of Honour.) Awarded by the "Council of the Order" of the Union of Nationalist Soldiers to men or women who, during the 1st WW and after dutifully served the Fatherland.
This bronze medal, either gilded or coppered. Noteworthy is the portayal of the winged Victory crowning a German soldier on the obverse. The reverse shows the Iron Cross 1st Class with oak leaves around the lower rim of the medal. Along the upper edge of the medal is the text "F?RS VATERLAND" (For the Fatherland) in Gothic lettering. The ribbon is formed with the then German national colours.
For frontline troops a combat emblem was created for attachment to the ribbon : a gilt oak leaf wreath with a sword across.
This medal was first proposed in the autumn of 1917 but it took till 1921 before the "Council of the Order", which was to effect the actual awarding, was formed. Recipients had to pay for their medal themselves and could, if they so wished, be entered in the German Legion of Honour. This organization was divided in "Ritterschaften" (knight groups) and its members could call themselves "Ritter der Deutschen Ehrenlegion" (Knight of the German Legion of Honour).
Early in the Nazi era, by a decree of 15 May 1934, awards like these were forbidden and the German Legion of Honour joined the Kyffh?user-Bund (the official veterans' organization) soon after.
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