The World War I Victory Medal
1918-1920

The World War I Victory Medal was awarded for honorable service for active duty at any time between 6 April 1917 and 11 November 1918. It was also awarded for service between 12 November 1918 and 5 August 1919, with the American Expeditionary Forces in European Russia, and was awarded to the American Expeditionary Forces in Siberia between 23 November 1918 and 1 April 1920.

Battle clasps were awarded for each of the major operations for individuals actually present under competent orders. The clasps, with a star on each side of the name of the campaign or one of the defensive sectors, were worn on the suspension ribbon for the following campaigns: 

Army Battle Clasps

• Cambrai: 20 May - 4 Dec 1917 
• Somme Defensive: 21 Mar - 6 Apr 1918 
• Lys: 9 Apr - 27 Apr 1918 
• Aisne: 27 May - 5 Jun 1918 
• Montdidier-Noyon: 9 Jun - 13 Jun 1918 
• Champagne-Marne: 18 Jul - 6 Aug 1918 
• Aisne-Marne: 18 Jul - 6 Aug 1918 
• Somme Offensive: 8 Aug - 11 Nov 1918 
• Oise-Aisne: 18 Aug - 11 Nov 1918 
• Ypres-Lys: 19 Aug - 11 Nov 1918 
• St. Mihiel: 12-16 Sep 1918 
• Meuse-Argonne: 26 Sep - 11 Nov 1918 
• Vittorio-Veneto: 24 Oct - 4 Nov 1918 

Service clasps were awarded to personnel who served overseas in one of the following areas and were not entitled to a battle clasp: 
 

• England: 6 Apr 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 
• France: 6 Apr 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 
• Italy: 6 Apr 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 
• Siberia: Any service in Siberia 
• Russia: Any service in European Russia 

Navy Operational Clasps

The Navy issued the following 18 operational or "duty" clasps. 

• ARMED GUARD: For personnel regularly attached to an escort vessel for one voyage across the North Atlantic between April 6, 1917, and November 11, 1918. 

• ASIATIC: For service on any vessel that made a Siberian port during the period of April 6, 1917, and November 11, 1918. Also authorized for service aboard any combatant ship that made a Siberian port for not less than ten days between November 12, 1918, and March 30, 1920. 

• ATLANTIC FLEET: For service in the Atlantic Fleet between May 25 and November 11, 1918. 

• AVIATION: For qualifying service in such duty east of the thirty-seventh meridian and north of the Equator; or over the high seas of the Atlantic Ocean north of the Equator between May 25 and November 11, 1918. 

• DESTROYER: For service on the high seas on such duty east of the thirty-seventh meridian and north of the Equator; or, on the high seas of the Atlantic Ocean north of the Equator between May 25, 1918, and November 11, 1918. 

• ESCORT: For personnel regularly attached to an escort vessel for one voyage across the North Atlantic between April 6, 1917, and November 11, 1918. 

• GRAND FLEET: For personnel regularly attached to any vessel forming part of the Grand Fleet between December 9, 1917, and November 11, 1918. 

• MINE LAYING: For service on such duty from May 26 to November 11, 1918. 

• MINE SWEEPING: For service on such duty from April 6, 1917, to November 11, 1918 (or until minesweeping was completed). 

• MOBILE BASE: For service on tenders and repair vessels on such duty east of the 37th meridian and north of the Equator between April 6, 1917, and November 11, 1918. 

• NAVAL BATTERY: For service on such duty between July 10 and November 11, 1918. 

• OVERSEAS: For service on shore in allied or enemy countries of Europe from April 6, 1918, to November 11, 1918. 

• PATROL: For service on the high seas on such duty east of the thirty-seventh meridian and north of the Equator between April 6, 1917, and November 11, 1918 and on the high seas of the Atlantic Ocean north of the Equator between May 25 and November 11, 1918. 

• SALVAGE: For service on such duty between April 6, 1917, and November 11, 1918. 

• SUBMARINE: For service on the high seas on such duty east of the thirty-seventh meridian and north of the Equator or on the high seas of the Atlantic Ocean north of the Equator between May 25 and November 11, 1918 and on the high seas of the Atlantic Ocean north of the Equator between May 25 and November 11, 1918. 

• SUBMARINE CHASER: For service on the high seas on such duty east of the thirty-seventh meridian and north of the Equator or on the high seas of the Atlantic Ocean north of the Equator between May 18 and November 11, 1918 and on the high seas of the Atlantic Ocean north of the Equator between May 25 and November 11, 1918. 

• TRANSPORT: For personnel regularly attached to a transport or cargo vessel for one voyage across the North Atlantic between April 6, 1917, and November 11, 1918. 

• WHITE SEA: For service on any vessel which made a Russian port or any combatant ship in a Russian port while in the White Sea not less than ten days between November 12, 1918, and July 31, 1919. 

Obverse: 
3 bar World War I Victory Medal

Obverse: 
2 bar World War I Victory Medal