Anyone ever come across a WW1 'Victory Medal' type to Battery E,102nd Field Artillery ?

July 16, 2025

I just came across another not odd, but say uncommon might be a more apt description. I say uncommon because most of my similar types were presented by a specific Town & or State just after WW1. This particular example appears exactly like one of the Local WW1 Victory Medals, right down to the Red, White & Blue Ribbon. However the only hint of its State or origin is the Massachusetts State Seal on the Obverse, along with an Eagle design, etc. The Reverse however specifically mentions that it was presented by Battery E, 102nd Field Artillery for service during the Great War, & is named in script to the recipient who does indeed show on the 102nd's Roster. I apologize for not having a Photo up yet, but will try to Post a couple up tomorrow. If anyone happens to have observed a similar example during their travels, I would be very interested in hearing from them ? THANK YOU Guys !!

Best, Dom P.

3,930 · July 16, 2025

I have had one in my collection for many years.

There are a few YD related unit medals along with the YD medal itself.

Bill

July 17, 2025

HEY, THANK YOU Bill, I should have thought to check with you !! Mine is script engraved to Albert J. Fortin who Enlisted from Worcester, Massachusetts & served throughout as an Pvt. / PFC with Battery E, 102nd F. A. of the Yankee Division of course. As you've probably surmised by now, I've focused on the 26th YD almost since my beginning Collecting days, although my main interest has always remained the Rhode Island affiliated Units of the Division. And even though my focus on the Rhody Boys has always remained constant, I still usually had a hard time passing up any nice YD Group, irrespective of where in New England they may have hailed from. I assume you have an Ancestry Subscription, & if so, please feel free to browse through my 13 Pages of Trees, [ Each Page = 26 Trees ] a very significant portion of my Trees being dedicated to Massachusetts Men, along with the other New,England States as well. Enjoy my Friend,

Best regards, Dom

3,930 · July 17, 2025

I sold the Lindberg medal years ago when I got this group to Jerry LaPorte from Worcester.

July 17, 2025

I'll have to go through my possible's to check because honestly Bill I have so many WW1 Local Groups I frequently have to reacquaint myself with what's what. Just off the top of my head, I can't recall any RI Battery B, Local WW1 Example within any of my Groups ?no do of course remember I have a few WW1 Local Medals presented from the "Battery A Welfare League" of Providence, RI, with some being found named, while other's are found unnamed. ( Named might not be most appropriate term here, as they only had enough space for the Recipient's Initials. ) It got so bad for me that I had to create an Inventory pertaining to each Group, documenting the content of each, along with relevant notes & data. I've been at this since 8th Grade, & I'm now 66, so you can imagine just how many assorted Groups I've ended up with over the years. In facts, that's basically what I'm attempting to do now, sort, inventory, & determine the overall sale prospects of my more desirable Groups. And even this is proving to be a real pain if you know what I mean ? But, 2 particular facts tend to keep me focused on getting it done !! ONE is the realization that it's simply not feasible to Bury everything with me !! TWO, Is my Wife is not 'amused' shall we say that I have one whole Room jam packed with Medals, Documents, Reference, & everything associated with the business of Collecting !! 'Some' people just can't understand us as a Breed, so to speak 😊

Best, Dom

P.S. I will look to see just what I have regarding any RI associated Unit Medals & let you know.

3,930 · July 17, 2025

Battery E 102nd FA Medal

July 17, 2025

Yes, That's an exact duplicate of mine, except of course for the Recipient. I can honestly say that I haven't come across too many of them in my years of Collecting, which leads me to wonder as to the overall quantity they produced ? And I haven't observed any other Battery than Battery E, so it probably was limited to just E ? Just for the Record, I'm going to browse through my Copy of the 102nd F. A.'s WW1 History & see if perhaps there's any mention of these Medals being presented ?

Dom

3,930 · July 17, 2025

E battery was the only one with a medal - I was wrong it was A Battery for the RI medal, I also have C Company of the104th and a few 1st Corps of Cadets (101st Engineers).

July 17, 2025

Yup, Battery A Welfare League of Rhode Island ! This Organization sent many Cigarettes, Tobacco, Writing Paper, etc to the Rhody Boys overseas in France. These Medals, although specifically struck marked Battery A, I believe that was due to the Organization's original Name as Battery A, 1st RI Field Artillery was the Parent Battery of all the subsequent 103rd's Batteries during the War. From my observation over the years, I have come across all of the Batteries who began the War with RI Personnel ended up receiving them, namely Battery A, Battery B, & Battery C of the 103rd F. A. I don't recall ever Posting my 'Impetus' Group here, the one from which I caught the 'RI WW1 Collecting Bug' from ? I dig it out & share it here within the next day or two, for I'm sure you'll definitely enjoy it. 😊

Dom

August 6, 2025

Hello Gents, As I attempted to clarify a couple of issues I had this WW1 26th Yankee Division Group, I realized that 'something' must wasn't as it should be ? Therefore I thought I should ask if anyone else has encountered a similar situation in one of their Medal Groups ? So, just briefly, whereas I had formerly has understood that this Worcester, Massachusetts Soldier, Pvt. Albert Joseph Fortin, of Battery E, 102nd Field Artillery, U.S. - A.E.F. had departed to France circa November 1917, along with his Battery, & then returned home with them in around April 1919.

( Keep in mind, he was a Recipient of the aforementioned WW1 Massachusetts Medal presented to Battery E, 102nd F.A. Members shortly after the War ) However, when searching his WW1 Transport Data, it became apparent that he never did Depart, nor Return from France during WW1 ? Ummm, OK, I was a wee bit perplexed at the moment ? As I began to dig a little more, I kept coming across the allegedly Official Fact that his Term of Service was only from ?

From his Post-WW1 U.S. Veteran's Service Card, his Dates of Service appear to have been as follows: ENLISTED: 17 MAY 1917 / TO: 24 SEPTEMBER 1917.

And then, based upon 2 separate pieces of information, I learned that he was apparently Discharged, due to what was labeled as an; 'S. C. D.', which I understand as an 'Service Connected Disability', unless I'm mistaken ? ( 1st was his Post-War U.S. Veteran's Hospital Record which distinctly notes the S.C.D., although unfortunately doesn't detail exactly what said injury was ? And 2nd, was an late November 1917, local Newspaper Article from his former Battery E Friends then in France, & which mentions him by name as a former member of battery E. ) Now that I've corrected this Guy's Story, so to speak, I remain curious as to 2 particular points ? 1st is; I find it somewhat unusual that he was still presented with an officially named, as were all the others, Batter E Medal, after only serving a brief period of time ? 2nd, Is that fact when originally obtained, the Group also included a basic, CONUS Service only, U.S. WW1 Victory Medal, which ever since my acquiring this, I have wondered how the Victory Medal

fit in with the Battery E Medal ? So, does anyone think, based upon his quite brief Service, he would have been awarded a Victory Medal, without Clasp of course, based upon his being Discharged for an Service Connected Disability ?

And as always Folks, any & all comments, information, or input will be very much appreciated !! THANK YOU Everyone,

Best regards, Dom P.

NOTE: The following Scans are all relevant in relation to my recent Update of the G.I.'s WW1 Scenario;