United States. A First War Oregon Medal For World War Service

In bronze, obverse illustrating a spread-winged eagle, its talons gripping the State of Oregon seal below, a scroll ribbon banner above inscribed "WORLD WAR SERVICE", the ends of the arms designed with ornate swirls, reverse inscribed "PRESENTED BY THE STATE OF OREGON IN GRATEFUL RECOGNITION OF FAITHFUL SERVICE RENDERED DURING THE WORLD WAR", flanked by the dates "1917" and "1918", with upright fasces on either side, along with a shield backed by a fasces resting upon its back below, maker marked "W & H. CO. NEWARK. N.J." (Whitehead & Hoag Company, Newark, New Jersey) on the reverse, measuring 36 mm (w) x 41 mm (h) inclusive of its integral suspension, surface wear evident n the eagle's chest, original ribbon with pinback, the pinback maker marked "BALFOUR" and marked "PAT APLD FOR" (patent applied for), near extremely fine.

Footnote: The Oregon Medal for World War Service was established by an Act, Chapter 382, General Laws of Oregon 1919 and approved on March 4, 1919. The Act established a committee consisting of the governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, state librarian and the adjutant general, for the purpose of deciding upon a suitable design for a bronze medal, to be presented to Oregon's soldiers, sailors, and marines and other persons entering the military and naval service of the United States since the commencement of American participation, who were honorably discharged. A sum of $8,000 was appropriated for this purpose. The Seventeenth Biennial Report of the Adjutant General, 1919-1920 stated that 32,000 medals were obtained in January of 1920 and that the initial distribution took place through American Legion Posts and upon application by a veteran. The Report goes on to say that the procedure was not too effective and that only 12,465 medals had been distributed as of that date. The State of Oregon is credited with about 35,000 men and women, many having served with the 41st National Guard Division and the 91st National Army Division.