American Legion Medals Showcase

[cattaraugus]

Hi, I really like the looks of this medal, shame its not a US military issue. I was trying to figure who made this one, there is an upper case M with a 22 beneath it as the makers mark. From what I was able to find, they seem to have made different versions of this medal as time went on. This one has a slot brooch, so I guess it is WW2 vintage. thanks in advance, Mike

[Navy Dan]

Hi Mike,

This is one of my favorite medals even though they are not military.They are made by Medallic Art Co. NY. The small medal was issued to the student for character and scholarship and the large table medal was for the school and measures 3 ". The one in the display is in its original box and named and dated 1946.You are correct that there are several different designs but this is the most striking. When you run acrossed them they are relatively cheap but still a fantastic piece.If it needs a new home let me know.

Cheers Dan

[Championhilz]

I picked up this nice little grouping of American Legion Convention medals belonging to a man named Crook. They were five dollars apiece, so the price was definitely right. I think they will look very nice framed up together in a small shadowbox.

 

 

[Championhilz]

[Championhilz]

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[Championhilz]

[Championhilz]

[Championhilz]

[usmedalman]

My collection of American Legion School Awards used to number several dozen. However it has been downsized throughout the years. Here are a few of the ones I still have.

To clarify, the American Legion School Award was first developed by posts in Penn. for award to boys. The nonwearable medal was 74mm in diameter. The first awards were in 1922. The program was very popular and quickly spread and was adopted nationally in 1929. A design specifically for girls was introduced in 1926. The new Girls medal was 62mm in diameter.

 

The wearable medal was introduced in 1939. 

 

The Girls' design was dropped in 1951 when the unisex design, featuring two women, was adopted and measures 62mm

 

The 1922 Boys' medal shown below is engraved on the edge, AWARDED TO GILBERT MUNS - LITTLE RIVER JR. HIGH SCHOOL 1928 - BY HARVY SEEDS POST 29 MIAMI FLORIDA

The Girls' medal shown below is engraved on the edge, JOAN TATHAM '37

 

 

 

 

[JohnK83882]

Here's what I think is a generic school award that the Legion put out. It's marked for an oratory contest. 

 

[collectsmedals]

Medal for the 1927 American Legion National Convention held in Paris France.

 

This is part of a group  in my collection to Pvt Frederick John Jones, 308th Infantry 77th Division. The group also contains a New York City American Legion medal.

[JohnK83882]

There was a walking cane from that convention I've seen. Canes were in vogue among officers, maybe as a replacement for swords.

 

Here's a link to the American Legion medal guide. https://www.delegion.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Trophies-Awards-Ceremonials-Manual.pdf