Jack's Son Posted April 29, 2012 Share #1 Posted April 29, 2012 Soon after the US Military issued the DSC, (December, 1918) the French began to sell it's own version to American troops. Because of the amount of time it took for the awards to reach France, many of the recipients went to shops and purchased their own awards. It is believed the some field commanders also purchased the French versions for presentation, until the US government issue reached the units for presentation. Many DSC holders returned from France with both medals, and some are on display at our National museums, (Eddie Rickenbacker comes to mind). The first design of the DSC was not the favorite choice, but 102 were hurriedly produced and numbered in order to have the medals available for presentation. When the final design was adopted, a larger strike was made, and the first numbered issue were recalled, not all were returned to the mint. Many collectors do not recognize the French version of the medal as a valid collectable, but rather as a fake or imitation. Others recognize the medals as viable French manufactured medals that were used by American soldiers as an alternative medal. I imagine the choice is yours to make. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted April 29, 2012 Author Share #2 Posted April 29, 2012 Example of Type-I Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted April 29, 2012 Author Share #3 Posted April 29, 2012 Example of Type-I Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted April 29, 2012 Author Share #4 Posted April 29, 2012 Example of Type-II Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted April 29, 2012 Author Share #5 Posted April 29, 2012 Example of Type-II Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted April 29, 2012 Author Share #6 Posted April 29, 2012 Example of Type-II Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted April 29, 2012 Author Share #7 Posted April 29, 2012 Example of Type-II Notice the pin back, it is some what unusual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
everforward Posted April 30, 2012 Share #8 Posted April 30, 2012 Thanks for posting.....I feel that the cert that I have from WW1 accompanied one these style medals. :thumbsup: It was issued in December 1918, so pretty early I suppose in the scheme of things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted April 30, 2012 Author Share #9 Posted April 30, 2012 It was issued in December 1918, so pretty early I suppose in the scheme of things. That was the correct time frame. You have a certificate for an awarded DSC from 1918? Please show us....this would be great to see! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
everforward Posted April 30, 2012 Share #10 Posted April 30, 2012 That was the correct time frame. You have a certificate for an awarded DSC from 1918?Please show us....this would be great to see! Here is a pic of the certificate that I have; it is a soldier from the 29th Division AEF.....As I understand it, this is the first style certificate that was printed in France. I have no idea as to the whereabouts of the DSC medal itself---it would be great to find it no doubt, but for all I know the recipiant could have been buried with it.....According to my research he has been dead for 60 years. It is dated 6 Dec 1918, and signed by Gen. Pershing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted April 30, 2012 Author Share #11 Posted April 30, 2012 Here is a pic of the certificate that I have; it is a soldier from the 29th Division AEF.....As I understand it, this is the first style certificate that was printed in France. I have no idea as to the whereabouts of the DSC medal itself---it would be great to find it no doubt, but for all I know the recipiant could have been buried with it.....According to my research he has been dead for 60 years.It is dated 6 Dec 1918, and signed by Gen. Pershing. That is very cool. It would make for a nice display, with both styles of the DSC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
everforward Posted April 30, 2012 Share #12 Posted April 30, 2012 That is very cool. It would make for a nice display, with both styles of the DSC. Yep...I hope at least one of the two will pass by one day... :thumbsup: I also have a hand tinted studio photo of him in uniform wearing the DSC...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medalman90 Posted May 1, 2012 Share #13 Posted May 1, 2012 beautiful pics everyone. thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamski Posted May 2, 2012 Share #14 Posted May 2, 2012 Yep...I hope at least one of the two will pass by one day... :thumbsup: I also have a hand tinted studio photo of him in uniform wearing the DSC...... Please post that as well! The framed certificate is awesome! I would consider reframing it in the original frame with UV glass and a matting to help preserve it.... -Ski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
everforward Posted May 2, 2012 Share #15 Posted May 2, 2012 Please post that as well! The framed certificate is awesome! I would consider reframing it in the original frame with UV glass and a matting to help preserve it.... -Ski Here you go.... Before it came to me, the framed certificate was taken to someone who said that due to its condition inside it's original frame, it would probably be best to leave it as is....I may get another opinion one day but for now it is how you see it here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamski Posted May 2, 2012 Share #16 Posted May 2, 2012 Here you go.... Before it came to me, the framed certificate was taken to someone who said that due to its condition inside it's original frame, it would probably be best to leave it as is....I may get another opinion one day but for now it is how you see it here. Great picture!! The certificate maybe sticking to the glass. If not, pull it. I would definitely get a second opinion. -Ski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted October 6, 2013 Share #17 Posted October 6, 2013 Has anyone found an original photo or documentation to prove AMERICANS were presented or wore French COPIES of the DSC during WW1 ? I don't believe this has been proven conclusively. W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4STARCHRIS Posted October 7, 2013 Share #18 Posted October 7, 2013 I think this was posted on the forum about a year ago. Don't remember if it was conclusive or not.. 4starchris P.S. I would give the forum member credit for the origin post if I could remember who it was. So if you are still on the forum come take credit for your pic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRR Posted October 7, 2013 Share #19 Posted October 7, 2013 I have not seen the other thread but you can clearly see the French brooch style with the balls on the ends. Very cool picture, whomever it belongs to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1SG_1st_Cav Posted October 7, 2013 Share #20 Posted October 7, 2013 WOW! This is why I love the Forum. I learn something new every day! Thanks to all for sharing your photos. FANTASTIC! Danny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arclight Posted October 14, 2013 Share #21 Posted October 14, 2013 My small contribution: Just received a "type II" last week. Not as nice as Robin's but I'm very happy with it. I have it shown next to a Robbins contract DSC for comparison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arclight Posted October 14, 2013 Share #22 Posted October 14, 2013 This shows just how very thin the French version is: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted March 14, 2018 Share #23 Posted March 14, 2018 ^ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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