- Time Period: World War I
- Institution: 1919
- Country: Czechoslovakia
The Allied Victory Medal was recommended by an inter-allied committee in March 1919. Fourteen victorious countries finally awarded the medal after World War I, and each allied nation would design a ‘Victory Medal’ for award to their own nationals. Certain features were to be shared: a winged figure of Victory on the obverse and the same ribbon.
During the war, Czechs and Slovaks living in France were given the choice of military service or internment as enemy aliens. The Inter-Allied Victory medal was awarded to soldiers who served in the various Czech legions under the French, Italian and Russian Armies, to those who fought in the army of any allied nation, and to those who joined the French Foreign Legion.
The Czechoslovakia Inter-Allied Victory Medal Design
The Victory Medal measures 36 millimetres (1.4 in) in diameter and was designed by William McMillan. The design and ribbon was also adopted by Belgium, Brazil, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, France, Greece, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Romania, Siam, Union of South Africa and the USA. Each allied nation would design a ‘Victory Medal’ for award to their own nationals, all issues having certain common features, including a winged figure of victory on the obverse and the same ribbon.
The obverse of the Czechoslovakian Victory Medal featured an Art Deco style winged Victory. The linden tree, symbol of the Czech nation, sprouts near Victory’s feet. The back has a shield with the lion of Bohemia with the arms of Silesia on its chest, surrounded by linden leaves.
The reverse shows the words ‘THE GREAT / WAR FOR / CIVILISATION / 1914-1919’ surrounded by a laurel wreath.
The 39 millimeters (1.5 in) wide watered ribbon has an iridescent color scheme, with the violet moving through to a central red stripe where both schemes meet. It attaches to the medal through a ring suspender. The recipient’s name, rank, service number and unit were impressed on the edge of the medal. The name of the regiment or corps was omitted on medals awarded to Army officers.
All the Inter-Allied Victory Medal Variations
Although each country designed its own version of the Inter-Allied Victory Medal, all of them shared some common elements, such as a winged victory figure on the obverse and a similar ribbon with rainbow colors symbolizing unity among the Allies. Here are the versions for all countries:
