Description: The medal is bronze and 1 3/8 inches in diameter. On the obverse is a winged Victory, standing full length and full face. On the reverse is the inscription "THE GREAT WAR FOR CIVILIZATION" and the United States shield with the letters "U.S." surmounted by a fasces, and on either side the names of the allied and associated nations. The lapel button is a five-pointed star 5/8-inch in diameter on a wreath with the letters "U.S." in the center.

Criteria for Award: a. 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.

b. 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:

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
c. 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
d. The lapel button is bronze, except that personnel who were wounded in action were awarded a silver lapel button.