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Medal, Commemorative

Object number2019.98.2

OriginFrance

MediumBrass; Silk

Credit LineGift of Charlotte O'Neil Oliver

DescriptionBrass commemorative medal with an orange, blue, white, and red silk ribbon. Medal is circular and has a raised relief in the middle with two birds facing opposite directions; an eagle representing the United States on the left and rooster representing France on the right. Circle with a letter in the center and flames coming out the top separating the birds. Birds standing on rectangle at the bottom with raised text. Top of the medal has a circular brass loop that the silk ribbon is threaded through. Ribbon is ribbed and mostly orange with blue, white, and red lining the sides. Top of the ribbon has sewn in a cylindrical, brass piece.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth: 3.813 x 1.75 x 0.375 in. (9.7 x 4.4 x 1 cm)
InscriptionsRaised letter in center of circle: "A".

Raised text in rectangle at bottom of medal: "FIELD SERVICE".
Historical NotesThis field service medal belonged to Franklin Cadwallader Irish. The medal was distributed by the French government to American medical personnel that served during World War I. The son of Dallas Irish, Franklin Cadwallader Irish was born on May 5, 1877. He was educated at Shadyside Academy and briefly attended Princeton University. Irish married Alberta Harper on January 5, 1910. He served in the American Ambulance Field Service as a driver during World War I near Verdun, France. In Pittsburgh, he was involved in real estate interests, first as co-owner of the firm Avey and Irish and later bought sole interest in the firm. After the war he managed his family’s real estate interests. He died in 1951 and is buried in Homewood Cemetery.

Previous owner Franklin Cadwallader Irish (1877 - 1951)

Related person Alberta Harper Irish (died 1963)

Related institution American Ambulance Field Service

Previous owner Avey and Irish

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