Victory Medal 1914–1918 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Victory Medal 1914–1918 |
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Inter-Allied Victory Medal 1914–1918 (obverse)
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| Type | Commemorative war medal |
| Eligibility | Belgian citizens |
| Awarded for | Military Service during World War 1 |
| Status | No longer awarded |
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| Established | 15 July 1919 |
 Ribbon of the Inter-Allied Victory Medal 1914–1918 |
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The Victory Medal is a special medal from Belgium. It is the Belgian version of the Inter-Allied Victory Medal 1914–1918. This medal was created by a royal decree (a special order from the king) on July 15, 1919.
It was given to all members of the Belgian Armed Forces who served during World War I. Later, the rules changed to include people who served in African campaigns. It was also given to some members of the merchant navy and fishing fleet under special conditions. In total, about 350,000 of these medals were awarded.
The Belgian artist Paul Du Bois designed this medal. In Belgium, this medal is worn right after the Yser Medal or Yser Cross.
Contents
What the Medal Looks Like
The Belgian Inter-Allied Victory Medal 1914–1918 is a round medal made of shiny bronze. It is about 36 millimeters wide.
The Front of the Medal
The front side of the medal is called the obverse. It shows a winged victory figure. This figure stands on a globe with her arms and wings spread out. She is looking down at the Earth.
The Back of the Medal
The back side of the medal is called the reverse. It has a laurel wreath (a symbol of victory) in the background. On top of the wreath are the coats of arms (official symbols) of the countries that were Allies in World War I.
These coats of arms include:
In the very center is the Royal Coat of Arms of Belgium. Around the edge of the medal, there's a message in both French and Dutch: "THE GREAT WAR FOR CIVILISATION."
The Medal's Ribbon
The medal hangs from a colorful ribbon. This ribbon is 38 millimeters wide and made of silk. It has a rainbow pattern. This rainbow ribbon was used for all the Inter-Allied Victory Medals given by the different countries that were Allies in World War I.
Who Received the Medal?
Many brave individuals received the Belgian Inter-Allied Victory Medal. Here is a partial list of some notable recipients:
- Lieutenant General Alphonse Ferdinand Tromme
- Cavalry Lieutenant General Marcel Jooris
- Major General Maurice Jacmart
- Lieutenant General Jean-Baptiste Piron
- Lieutenant General Jules Joseph Pire
- Cavalry Lieutenant General Sir Maximilien de Neve de Roden
- Cavalry Lieutenant General Baron Victor Van Strijdonck de Burkel
- Lieutenant General Georges Deffontaine
- Lieutenant General Alphonse Verstraete
- Lieutenant General Baron Raoul de Hennin de Boussu-Walcourt
- Lieutenant General Joseph Leroy
- Cavalry Lieutenant General Jules De Boeck
- Lieutenant General Fernand Vanderhaeghen
- Lieutenant General Robert Oor
- Lieutenant General Libert Elie Thomas
- Lieutenant General Léon Bievez
- Cavalry Major General Baron Beaudoin de Maere d’Aertrycke
- Major General Lucien Van Hoof
- Major General Jean Buysse
- Major General Paul Jacques
- Commodore Georges Timmermans
- Aviator Major General Norbert Leboutte
- Police Lieutenant General Louis Joseph Leroy
- Police Lieutenant General Oscar-Eugène Dethise
- Chaplain General Louis Kerremans
- Lieutenant General Harry Jungbluth
- Cavalry Lieutenant General Baron Albert du Roy de Blicquy
- Lieutenant General Sir Antonin de Selliers de Moranville
- Lieutenant General Baron Louis de Ryckel
- Lieutenant General Baron Émile Dossin de Saint-Georges
- Lieutenant General Baron Honoré Drubbel
- Lieutenant General Count Gérard-Mathieu Leman
- Lieutenant General Victor Bertrand
- Lieutenant General Baron Jules Jacques de Dixmude
- Lieutenant General Georges Guiette
- Lieutenant General Albert Lantonnois van Rode
- Lieutenant General Baron Armand de Ceuninck
- Lieutenant General Aloïs Biebuyck
- Cavalry Lieutenant General Baron Léon de Witte de Haelen
- Cavalry Lieutenant General Vicount Victor Buffin de Chosal
- Cavalry Lieutenant General Jules De Blauwe
- Major General Doctor Antoine Depage
- Major General Baron Edouard Empain
- Plk. gst. Jaroslav Hajicek (Czechoslovakia)
See also
- List of Orders, Decorations and Medals of the Kingdom of Belgium
