On View
Military History Gallery
Exhibition
Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
Manufactured by
Monnaie de Paris, French, founded 1864
Issued by
French Republic, French, founded 1792
Received by
Cpl. McVey,, Lawrence Leslie Sr., American, 1897 - 1968
Designed by
Morlon, Pierre-Alexandre, French, 1878 - 1951
Subject of
369th Infantry Regiment, American, 1913 - 1945
Date
1922
Medium
bronze and ribbon
Dimensions
H x W: 3 1/2 × 1 7/16 × 1/8 in. (8.9 × 3.7 × 0.3 cm)
Caption
Due to racial tension within the US Army, the 369th Infantry Regiment was assigned to the French Army for the duration of US involvement in World War I. Formed from the 15th New York National Guard Regiment and nicknamed the "Harlem Hellfighters," the 369th was the first African American regiment to reach the battlefields of World War I and the first Allied troops to reach the banks of the Rhine. Upon completion of the 369th’s service in the war, the regiment had spent 191 days in combat, the longest of any American regiment. In appreciation for their actions in the Maison-en-Champagne campaign, the 369th was awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French Government for acts of bravery in conflicts against the enemy. In addition to this honor, 171 individual members of the 369th Regiment were awarded the Croix de Guerre and the Legion of Honor. The 369th Regiment finished their service in Europe and returned to the US in February 1919.
Description
1914 - 1918 Inter-Allied Victory medal issued to Corporal Lawrence Leslie McVey for World War I. The ribbon is rainbow colored with red in the center surrounded by yellow, green, blue and purple. The rainbow-colored ribbon is dirty in spots and fraying at the end, but intact. There is no pin. The circular medal hangs from its ribbon by a circular metal loop. The front of the medal has an image of the Winged Victory with her arms outstretched and a sword hanging in its scabbard. The back of the medal is a Phrygian cap between the letters, [R / F]. Underneath the inscription reads, [LA / GRANDE GUERRE / POUR LA / CIVILISATION / 1914-1918].
Place made
France, Europe
Classification
Awards, Medals, and Insignia
Textiles and Quilts
Type
medals
Topic
Military
World War I
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Gina R. McVey, Granddaughter
Object number
2011.108.3
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5890899f8-fe87-4310-8220-9c311a599fbf

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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