WWI Veteran Lapel Buttons

These were made to be worn in the lapel button hole of a civilian suit, rather than a military uniform.

The first one is a miniature WWI Victory Medal ribbon bar. Since all the allies used the same ribbon on their victory medals, I can’t be sure of the nationality – although I suspect it’s American. I doubt this was any government’s issue, but something a veteran might purchase or be given as a gift. It’s an actual piece of ribbon stretched over a brass bar and stitched together in the back. I’m a bit amazed at how much detailed hand work must have been involved in making a production run of these.

The second button was issued by the US Government to all honorably discharged veterans at the end of WWI. There were two varieties. Silver for veterans that had been wounded, and the bronze one shown here for the others. When the American Legion was founded by WWI veterans after the war, this design would become the center of their insignia.