Commems Collection Medals: 1983 World War I 75th Anniversary

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commems CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives United States 12253 Posts	Posted 09/28/2024 09:13 am Presented here is a hanging commemorative medal/badge available to all US veterans who served in World War I. It was sponsored by the Robert R. McCormick Tribune Foundation of Chicago, Illinois and distributed by the US Veterans Administration (VA); eligible veterans requested the medal through the VA. Note: Robert McCormick came from a wealthy family, was a US Army officer who served in World War I, assumed the position of editor and publisher of The Chicago Tribune (a family business) and led the paper for five decades. He was a political conservative that grew to be strongly anti-war. Upon his death in 1955, his will establsihed the Robert R. McCormick Charitable Trust (forerunner of the Foundation). For more on the Foundation, see: https://www.mccormickfoundation.org/ Distribution of the medal began on September 1, 1994. The medal's design is reminiscent of the US World War I Victory medal. At its center, it features a front-facing, full-figure depiction of Winged Victory. The allegorical figure is surrounded by a laurel wreath meant to represent honor, with an outer blue band (appears somewhat purple in my images) that carries the inscription "75th ANNIVERSARY / WORLD WAR I." The band's blue color is symbolic of loyalty and devotion to duty. The medal's reverse features an oak branch, representing strength, and acknowledging the sacrifices of those who fought in the "Great War." Prominent is the insciprtion "A GRATEFUL NATION REMEBERS / 1918-1993" along with "THEY CAME ON THE WINGS OF EAGLES" along the lower rim, a phrase "brought to life" via the World War I American Landing Memorial Monument at St. Nazaire, France. The monument was a gift of American donors to St. Nazire and has historically been referred to as the "Statue of Liberty for France" though "Sammy" is its popular nickname. World War I American Landing Memorial Monument, St. Nazaire (Image Credit: The American Masonic Great War Project. Fair Use, Education.) Note: The "Wings of Eagles" phrase can be found in the Christian Bible, Isaiah 40:31. The medal's design is credited to the US Army Institute of Heraldry; no specific artist is named. World War I 75th Anniversary Medal - Obverse World War I 75th Anniversary Medal - Reverse Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved. Edited by commems 09/28/2024 09:14 am Report this Post to the Staff

Coinfrog Bedrock of the Community United States 94367 Posts	Posted 09/28/2024 12:34 pm Excellent presentation as always. Report this Post to the Staff
nickelsearcher Moderator United States 15389 Posts	Posted 09/28/2024 6:11 pm Appreciate the historical background. Impressive looking medal. Quote: eligible veterans requested the medal through the VA. I'm a bit confused by this statement. In particular what were 'eligible veterans'? If a surviving veteran of WWI was but 18 years old at the conclusion of the war, he would have been 93 years old when the medal was made available. If this was indeed the distribution intent, how many serving and well aged veterans actually received an example? Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art Report this Post to the Staff
Coinfrog Bedrock of the Community United States 94367 Posts	Posted 09/28/2024 6:50 pm Well, that's a good question. Report this Post to the Staff
commems CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives United States 12253 Posts	Posted 09/28/2024 8:14 pm My understanding is that the family of a deceased WWI veteran could request a medal as well. I have not attempted to explore VA records for the number distributed, but I've read that more than 30,000 WWI veterans were alive in the US in 1993.. So, the medal's distribution had the potential to be in the tens of thouands. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved. Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 187702 Posts	Posted 09/29/2024 2:01 pm Outstanding! Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
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