Description: Original Chateau Thierry 1918 Washington Lafayette American Veterans Silver Medal Circular silver medal with sash-like suspension inscribed ‘CHATEAU-THIERRY COTE 204’; the face with the head and shoulders portraits of the Marquis de Lafayette and George Washington, both facing left, circumscribed ‘WASHINGTON’ on the left and ‘LAFAYETTE’ on the right, signed ‘GASTON LAVRILLIER’ (for the artist Gaston-Albert Lavrillier, 1885-1958) and with maker’s mark ‘PARIS ART’; the reverse with the rayed insignia of a knight of the Legion d’Honneur below the inscription ‘CHATEAU THIERRY 18 JUILLET 1918’, circumscribed above ‘LA VICTOIRE APPARAIT’ (Victory appeared); age-toned; on original age-faded period ribbon with slight staining, mounted for wear. The medal was instituted by the town of Château Thierry in 1920 to recognise the bravery of French and American soldiers who fought in the battle of Chateau Thierry on 18 July 1918. This was one of the earliest battles involving troops of the American Expeditionary Force under General John J. Pershing and ended in decisive Allied victory, giving the first indication that American forces would tip the balance and bring the war to a successful conclusion. Hill 204 referred to on the suspension was a crucial position taken by American forces. During the course of the Aisne-Marne offensive (so-called "Blücher attack"), German troops reached the town of Château-Thierry in May 1918 (im Aisne department located in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France). As a result, there were several months of fighting against units of the French troops and the American Expeditionary Force [American Expeditionary Forces]. On 18. July 1918 took place there as part of the Second Battle of the Marne ( from the 15th to the 21st. The Battle of Château-Thierry took place in July 1918, during which the 3rd. Division of the American Expeditionary Force was able to push the Germans back, so that the city was destroyed on the 21st. July 1918 by the French 39th. Division could be occupied. The medal is one of the earliest World War I veterans’ medals, one of the rarest and, because of its American connotations, one of the most sought-after. A very good example.
Price: 495 USD
Location: Daytona Beach, Florida
End Time: 2025-01-11T01:42:36.000Z
Shipping Cost: N/A USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Seller
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Conflict: WW I (1914-18)
Theme: Militaria
Original/Reproduction: Original
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Region of Origin: United States
