French Croix de Guerre medal issued to Cpl. Lawrence Leslie McVey

Object Details

Issued by

French Republic, French, founded 1792

Designed by

Albert Bartholomé, French, 1848 - 1928

Received by

Cpl. Lawrence Leslie McVey, Sr., American, 1897 - 1968

Subject of

369th Infantry Regiment, American, 1913 - 1945

Caption

Due to racial tension within the US Army, the 369th Infantry Regiment was assigned to the French Army for the duration of US involvement in World War I. Formed from the 15th New York National Guard Regiment and nicknamed the "Harlem Hellfighters," the 369th was the first African American regiment to reach the battlefields of World War I and the first Allied troops to reach the banks of the Rhine. Upon completion of the 369th’s service in the war, the regiment had spent 191 days in combat, the longest of any American regiment. In appreciation for their actions in the Maison-en-Champagne campaign, the 369th was awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French Government for acts of bravery in conflicts against the enemy. In addition to this honor, 171 individual members of the 369th Regiment were awarded the Croix de Guerre and the Legion of Honor. The 369th Regiment finished their service in Europe and returned to the US in February 1919.

Description

Florentine bronze cross patée, with two crossed swords between the arms. The center of the front side shows the symbolic profile of the French Republic: a young woman wearing a Phrygian cap. The words [REPUBLIC FRANCAISE] (French Republic) encircle the portrait. The cross is suspended by a green ribbon with seven narrow vertical red stripes. A bronze star affixed to the ribbon indicates McVey was honored at the regiment or brigade level. The back of the medal has the dates of World War I, [1914 / 1918].

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Gina R. McVey, Granddaughter

1918

Object number

2011.108.9.1

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

Type

medals

Medium

bronze, ribbon and metal

Dimensions

H x W: 4 1/4 x 1 1/2 x 1/8 in. (10.8 x 3.8 x 0.3 cm)

Place made

France, Europe

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Awards and Medals

Exhibition

Double Victory: The African American Military Experience

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Topic

African American

Military

World War I

Record ID

nmaahc_2011.108.9.1

Metadata Usage (text)

CC0

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5a662bad2-eb09-4e4b-a1c3-066f37c24d6c