Joseph Fleischmann World War I Medal Collection, 1916-1942, bulk 1919
Collection context
Summary
- Abstract:
- A collection of three bronze medals and a ribbon that honor the military service of New York-native Joseph Fleischmann during World War I. The collection consists of the Army Occupation of Germany - World War I Ribbon, the New York World War Service Medal, the World War I Victory Medal, and the Battle of Verdun Medal. Each represent the state, national, and international scope of the conflict.
- Extent:
- 1.00 Linear Feet 1 Box
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
Joseph Fleischmann World War I Medal Collection, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
Background
- Scope and content:
Series I: Joseph Fleischmann World War I Medal Collection, 1916-1942 contains the Army Occupation of Germany - World War I Ribbon (1942), the New York World War Service Medal No. 50070 (1919), the World War I Victory Medal (1919), and the Battle of Verdun Medal (1916).
- Biographical / historical:
Joseph Fleischmann (July 15, 1898-June 16, 1988) lived in Queens, New York when he enlisted for military service on July 5, 1917. He was initially assigned to Company A of the 14th Infantry Regiment until August 25, 1917 when he transferred to the 165th Infantry Regiment (formerly known as the 69th Infantry Regiment) of the 42nd Division of the American Expeditionary Force. He served overseas from October 29, 1917 until April 21, 1919. Mr. Fleischmann was discharged from service on May 7, 1919. On January 7, 1921, the 165th Infantry Regiment would be reorganized into the 69th Infantry Regiment of the New York National Guard.
The Battle of Verdun bronze medal was ordered on November 20, 1916, by the Municipal Council of Verdun, in honor of the city's defense. The medal designer was sculptor Emile Seraphin Vernier. "ON NE PASSE PAS" (They Shall Not Pass) is a reference to General Robert Nivelle's speech from June 23, 1916 given to his troops. Originally, the medal was only going to be awarded to troops who fought on the Verdun Front between February 23 and November 2, 1916. The parameters were expanded to troops who fought in the Argonne and St. Mihiel sectors between July 31, 1914, and November 11, 1918.
New York World War Service Medal originated from a proposal by New York State Senator John Joseph Boylan on January 9, 1919 for a bill to create a medal to honor New York veterans of who served "in the war with the German Empire and its allies as a volunteer or otherwise, and making an appropriation therefor." Legislation for the creation of the medal was unanimously approved by the New York Senate on March 3, 1919 (as Senate Bill No. 583, Int. No. 13) and by the New York State Assembly on March 26, 1919 (Senate Bill No. 583, Rec. No. 47). After being sent back to the Senate, the bill was formally approved by 142nd New York Legislature. The bill was finally signed into law by New York Governor Alfred E. Smith on March 31, 1919.
The design was created by Captain Charles J. Dieges of the 102nd Engineers, 27th Division. The bronze medal was produced by Dieges & Clust, Dieges' jeweler company in New York City. According to records of New York's Division of Military and Naval Affairs (DMNA), there are other versions of the medal that were produced by Washington Medal Craft Corporation of Providence, Rhode Island. But, the medal in the collection is a Dieges & Clust medal. By 1944, 93,000 medals were issued. The World War I Victory bronze medal was established by an Act of Congress, 1919, and promulgated by War Department General Order 48, 1919, which was rescinded by War Department General Order 83, June 30, 1919. The 14 Allied Nations decided on a single ribbon, but pendant design was left up to each Nation. James E. Fraser was the designer of the U.S. Victory Medal.
The Victory Medal ribbon pattern is used in thirteen streamers displayed on the Army flag to represent World War I service. The inscriptions for the streamers displayed on the Army flag are listed in AR 840-10.
Battle/Campaign Clasps:
Champagne-Marne: July 18 - August 6, 1918
Aisne-Marne: July 18 - August 6, 1918
St. Mihiel: September 12-16, 1918
Meuse-Argonne: September 26 - November 11, 1918
Defense Sector: [Undated]
The Army Occupation of Germany - World War I ribbon is part of the bronze medal that was established by Public Law 322, 77th Congress on November 21, 1941, and announced in War Department Bulletin 34, dated December 10, 1941, and War Department Circular 176 dated June 6, 1942. The medal (and consequently the ribbon) was designed by Trygve A. Rovelstad of the Heraldic Division, Office of the Quartermaster General, in June 1942, and was approved by Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson on July 8, 1942.
- Acquisition information:
- Richard Wheatley transferred these materials to the University of Central Florida Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives in 2011 (CFM2011_06).
- Processing information:
Processed by Steven Craig Trelstad; finding aid prepared by Steven Craig Trelstad.
The materials were donated by Richard Wheatley, the great nephew of Joseph Fleischmann, in 2011. The collection was placed in an archival appropriate box.
- Arrangement:
The collection is arranged as displayed: the Army Occupation of Germany - World War I Ribbon, the New York World War Service Medal, the World War I Victory Medal, and the Battle of Verdun Medal.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
Access and use
- Restrictions:
The entire collection is open for research.
- Terms of access:
Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.
- Preferred citation:
Joseph Fleischmann World War I Medal Collection, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
- Location of this collection:
-
John C. Hitt Library12701 Pegasus Drive, Building 2OrlandoFL32816-8030USA
