American Doughboy Fighting in France

"American Doughboy Fighting in France" medal, designed by the French sculptor and medallist Marcel Prosper Lordonnois (1876–1926) in 1919. It is a commemorative medal honoring the efforts of American troops (the "Doughboys") during the First World War.

Features of the medal

• Obverse: Depicts an attacking American infantryman with helmet and rifle (with bayonet) on a battlefield. Trenches and barbed wire are visible in the background. The signature "M. LORDONNOIS 1919" is located in the lower right corner.
• Reverse: Contains the inscription "1917 FRANCE 1918" at the top. Below this is a list of major battles involving American troops, often depicted on an abstract map of France.
• Battles on the reverse: Usually, the following locations are mentioned: Soissons, Argonne, Verdun, Bois Belleau, Reims, St. Mihiel, and Chateau Thierry.
• Details: The medal typically has a diameter of approximately 63 mm (2.5 inches) and is made of bronze. At the bottom of the reverse side is a small cross and the names of the issuer or manufacturer (such as "DEPOSE / STUDER" or "F.D. BROWN INC. N.Y.").

Background

Lordonnois designed this medal shortly after the war to thank American soldiers for their role in the liberation of France. It is a beloved item among collectors of WWI militaria due to the detailed depiction of the soldier and the historical context of the battles mentioned.