Established in 1919, the World War I Victory Medal honors United States Armed Forces personnel who carried out service in qualifying periods and areas during World War I.
Eligible service includes:
-Any service between April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1918
-Service in European Russia between November 12, 1918 and August 5, 1919
-Service with the American Expeditionary Force Siberia between November 23, 1918 and April 1, 1920
The award is issued with devices according to the nature of the service carried out:
Army Battle Clasps for participation in the following ground operations and battles:
-Aisne, between May 27, 1918 and June 5, 1918
-Aisne-Marne, between July 18, 1918 and August 6, 1918
-Cambrai, between May 12, 1917 and December 4 1917
-Champagne-Marne, between July 15, 1918 and July 18, 1918
-Lys, between April 9, 1918 and April 27, 1918
-Meuse-Argonne, between September 26, 1918 and November 11, 1918
-Montdidier-Noyon, between June 9, 1918 and June 13, 1918
-Oise-Aisne, between August 18, 1918 and November 11, 1918
-St. Mihiel, between September 12, 1918 and September 16, 1918
-Somme-Defensive, between March 21, 1918 and April 6, 1918
-Somme-Offensive, between August 8, 1918 and November 11, 1918
-Vittorio-Veneto, between October 24, 1918 and November 4, 1918
-Ypres-Lys, between August 19, 1918 and November 11, 1918
Army Service Clasps for service in non-combat capacities in the following regions:
-England, between April 6, 1917 and November 1, 1918
-France, between April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1918
-Italy, between April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1918
-Russia (any)
-Siberia (any)
The Defensive Sector Battle Clasp was issued for general defense service.
Navy Battle Clasps for service in support of the following operations and conflicts:
-Aisne, between June 1, 1918 and June 5, 1918
-Aisne-Marne, between July 18, 1918 and July 20, 1918
-Meuse-Argonne, between September 29, 1918 and October 10, 1918
-Meuse-Argonne, between October 25, 1918 and November 11, 1918
-St. Mihiel, between September 12, 1918 and September 16, 1918
-Ypres-Lys (Service in support of the Northern Bombing Group)
Navy Operational Clasps for maritime duty of the following types:
-Armed Guard: Merchant personnel, between April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1918
-Asiatic: Service on any craft that visited a Siberian port, between April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1918
-Asiatic: Port visit lasting no less than ten days, between November 12, 1918 and March 30, 1920
-Atlantic Fleet: Service in the Atlantic Fleet, between May 25, 1918 and November 11, 1918
-Aviation: Service entailing flights over the Atlantic Ocean, between May 25, 1918 and November 11, 1918
-Destroyer: Service on destroyers on the Atlantic Ocean, between May 25, 1918 and November 11, 1918
-Escort: Service with escort craft on the North Atlantic, between between April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1918
-Grand Fleet: Service no any ship of the “United States Grand Fleet,” between December 9, 1917 and November 11, 1918
-Mine Laying: mine laying sea duty, between May 26, 1918 and November 11, 1918
-Mine Sweeping: mine sweeping sea duty, between April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1918
-Mobile Base: Service on tenders and repair craft, between April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1918
-Naval Battery: Service in a naval battery detachment, between July 10, 1918 and November 11, 1918
-Overseas: Ground service in allied or enemy countries in Europe, between April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1918
-Patrol: War patrol service on the Atlantic Ocean, between May 25, 1918 and November 11, 1918
-Salvage: Salvage duty carried out on the seas, between April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1918
-Submarine: Submarine duty carried out on the Atlantic Ocean, between May 25, 1918 and November 11, 1918
-Submarine Chaser: Anti-submarine duty carried out on the Atlantic Ocean, between May 18, 1918 and November 11, 1918
-Transport: Service on transport or cargo craft, between April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1918
-White Sea: Service on any craft that visited a Russian port or war patrols in the White Sea for a minimum of 10 days
Navy Service Clasps for service in non-combat capacities in the following regions:
-England, between April 6, 1917 and November 1, 1918
-France, between April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1918
-Italy, between April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1918
-Russia, between November 12, 1918 and July 31, 1919
-Siberia (any), between November 12, 1918 and March 30, 1920
-West Indies, between April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1918
Marines were awarded the medal with a Maltese cross device on the ribbon. The Silver Citation Star was issued to those who were noted for gallantry in action, and the Navy Commendation Star for meritorious Navy members.
The medal is bronze and features a winged figure of Victory with a sword and shield. The reverse features six stars and seven staffs twined in a cord and a list of Allied countries. The ribbon features a red central section and the colors of the rainbow proceeding in order outward on each side.