Medals related to the First World War

The obverse bears facing bust of Marshal Foch. Around, COMMEMORATING THE VISIT OF MARSHALL FOCH TO THE VNITED STATES; to left, MCMXXI; to right, A N S with oak leafs.

The reverse presents winged female figure holding shield, between the shields of France to the left and the United States to the right. Signed at lower left, (RA monogram ) / FECIT

Marshal Ferdinand Foch (1851-1929) was a French soldier, military theorist, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Allied forces in World War I.

The medal was the 43rd issue of the American Numismatic Society (ANS) in 1921 to commemorate Foch's visit to the United States.

Generals Foch and Pershing had coordinated their trips so that they would arrive more or less simultaneously, even though they were sailing on two different ships. Pershing arrived on Friday, October 28, 1921, two hours before Foch arrived on the Paris. He was given a hero's welcome by the entire city.

The medal measures 64mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. The reported mintage is 1 piece in gold, 94 in silver, 205 in bronze and 1 piece in copper.

References:   ANS 43, MACo 1921-006, Marqusee 5

The medal's obverse shows Marshall Foch, facing left, above a wreath of laurels. Around, HOMAGE FROM MASSACHUSETTS TO THE VICTORIOUS COMMANDER; signed at lower left C.E.D

The reverse bears two female figures jointly holding wreath with inscribed FOCH; figure at left, symbolizing America, holds shield emblazoned with starts and stripes; figure at right, one breast bared, symbolizing France, holds shield with Massachusetts Native American. Above, IN GRATEFUL / SALUTATION; signed at bottom, NOV. 14 1921 C E Dallin

Marshall Foch (1851-1929) was the Allied Commander-in-Chief who led the French, British, American, and Italian forces to victory in World War I. In 1921 he visited the United States as a guest of the American Legion and received a hero's welcome at every station.

The circular medal was produced by the Gorham Company of Providence, Rhode Island.

The medal's obverse bears young woman, r., holding staff with furled American flag. Around, FOR GOD AND COUNTRY / SEMPER / FIDELIS; signed and dated to left of woman, (RTM monogram) / 1925 / ©

The reverse bears American eagle over cartouche and American Legion seal. In cartouche, AMERICAN LEGION / SCHOOL AWARD / COURAGE CHARACTER SERVICE / COMPANIONSHIP SCHOLARSHIP

The American Legion was formed in February 1919 by three officers of the American Expeditionary Forces in Paris. Congress chartered the organization in September of the same year and the group became very influential, playing the leading role in drafting and passing the so-called "GI Bill."

The circular medal measures 63.4mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1925-046

This medal's obverse bears portrait of Smith facing left.

The reverse bears text. Around, MERRIT · HAVILAND · SMITH ·; in center, ENGINEER · FOR / 40 · YEARS · OF · THE / WATER · SUPPLY · OF / THE · CITY · OF · NEW · YORK / 1862 (shell) 1926 / · COLONEL · OF · / ARTRILLERY · IN / THE · GREAT · WAR

Merrit Haviland Smith was born on May 21, 1862 in New York City. After an education in public schools and additional private tutors he graduated from the Pennsylvania Military College with a degree in civil engineering in 1880. After three years with the Pittsburgh and Western Railroad he joined the New York City Department of Public Works where he worked for the rest of his civilian life. In addition to his service as an Artillery Colonel in World War I, he also served with the New York National Guard in Puerto Rico from 1898 to 1899. He died in 1926.

This medal appears to be a copy of the bronze plaque erected in his memory at Kensico Dam shortly after his death in 1926.

The circular medal measures 50.4mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1928-033

References:   MACo 1966-019