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Marshal Foch's Visit to the United States Medal
Marshal Foch's Visit to the United States Medal
Marshal Foch's Visit to the United States Medal

Marshal Foch's Visit to the United States Medal

Maker
Maker
Period1921
MediumBronze
Dimensions0.19 × 2.5 in. (0.5 × 6.4 cm)
SignedThe medal is signed by artist Robert Aitken reading "RA / fecit" on the reverse near the lower left edge.
ClassificationsThe Robert Hartshorne World War I Collection
Credit LineGift of Mary Minturn Adams in memory of her Hartshorne Ancestors, 2018
Object number2018.10.20.5
DescriptionA circular bronze medal with the image of Marshal Ferdinand Foch on the obverse, with the inscription "COMMEMORATING THE VISIT OF MARSHAL FOCH TO THE UNITED STATES / MCHXXI ANS." A small oak leaf cluster can be seen above Foch's proper left shoulder. On the reverse, the figure of Victory holds a circular shield in her arm with the Service Star of the American Forces. The coats of arms of both France and the United States set within shields are depicted to the left and right of Victory. Artist Robert Aitken's initial monogram "RA" is inscribed at the lower left edge. The number "82" is stamped along the medal's rim edge. The medal is accompanied by its original white and gilt cardboard storage box.
Curatorial RemarksThis medal was struck in honor of Marshal Ferdinand Foch's visit to the United States in late fall of 1921. Foch was born in France in 1851 and spent his entire career in the French Army. Trained in artillery, Foch eventually became Supreme Commander of the entire Allied Forces by the end of World War I. During the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, Foch believed the terms too lenient towards Germany, predicting that "This is not a peace. It is an armistice for twenty years." Twenty years and 64 days later, Germany began World War II. Foch arrived in New York aboard the Paris on 21 October 1921 and toured the United States, culminating in a visit to Washington, D.C. This medal was designed by sculptor Robert Ingersoll Aitken (1878 - 1949). Aitken was born in San Francisco and moved to Paris in 1904 to study sculpture. After his return to the United States, he taught at New York City's Art Students League and served as president of the National Sculpture Society. He is best known for the design of the West pediment of the United States Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C. Struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York for the American Numismatic Society to mark the occasion, the first copy of the medal in gold was presented to Foch during his visit.NotesThis medal was collected by Robert Hartshorne during his service in the First World War. Hartshorne joined the American Red Cross in 1916. His association with that organization apparently put him in touch with the American Committee for Devastated France, which intended to introduce modern American farming methods in those battlefield areas heavily damaged near Rheims. Hartshorne arrived in France in May of 1918 and returned to the United States at the end of December the same year. Hartshorne collected numerous medals, uniform insignia, and souvenirs commemorating his time abroad. For a more complete biography of Robert Hartshorne, please see the portrait miniature of Robert Hartshorne (accession number 2018.10.9).
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