Page 326 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

324 WORLD WAR ERA MEDALS ◀ WORLD WAR I

1914–1945 The World Wars saw countless acts of individual gallantry VICTORY MEDAL

Date 1919
Origin US
amid the mass actions of huge armies. Medals continued
The Victory Medal, as it was
to be awarded for acts of exceptional bravery, and the
first known, was issued to
issued than ever before. Some medals that had been
World War I and actions in
ARS sheer numbers of combatants meant that more were US forces who had served in between the arms
Bronze Maltese
Russia (1919–20).
introduced previously took on a new significance
cross with swords
during this period—notably Germany’s “Blue Max”
▶ CROIX DE GUERRE
and the USA’s Purple Heart.
ORLD W Date 1915
Origin France
This medal was issued to
individuals for bravery or other
THE W military virtues displayed on the
battlefield during World War I,
World War II, and in other
campaigns not fought on French
soil. The example pictured is a
World War II medal.
Golden eagles
between the
arms of the cross

▲ OTTOMAN WAR ▶ POUR LE MÉRITE
MEDAL (BLUE MAX)
Date 1915 Date 1740–1918
Origin Turkey Origin Germany
Conflict World War I
This order was both a
Better known as the Gallipoli civillian and military honour
Star, this decoration was until 1810, when it was
awarded for the duration restricted to serving military
of World War I to Turkish personnel. One of the first
soldiers and their allies for airmen to receive the award
gallantry in battle. was World War I flying ace
Max Immelmann; his fame
led to the order becoming
known as the Blue Max.

▲ MILITARY CROSS
Date 1914
Origin UK
Instituted in 1914 as a
gallantry award for British
army officers of a lower
precedence than the Victoria
Cross (see p.258) and
the Distinguished Service
Order, from 1993 onward,
the Military Cross has
been open to all ranks for
gallantry in land operations.

▶ IRON CROSS
Date 1914
Origin Germany ▲ MEMORIAL PLAQUE ▶ ORDER OF THE
The Iron Cross was issued Date 1919 PATRIOTIC WAR
to all ranks, but only those Origin UK Date 1942
who had already received Conflict World War I Origin Soviet Union
a 2nd Class award could Conflict World War II
receive the 1st Class Awarded to the next-of-kin
version. In World War I, of those who lost their lives This silver-and-enamel medal was awarded
around 4 million 2nd Class as a result of active service to Soviet military personnel who fought on
and 145,000 1st Class medals in World War I, this bronze the Eastern Front, and to partisan fighters for
were awarded. The medal plaque, 4¾in (120mm) in personal bravery. The Order of the 1st Class
shown is a 1939 design diameter, bears the name was issued 344,000 times, while 1,028,000
with a central swastika. of the dead serviceman. 2nd Class awards were made.