Rare French Feriam Sidera (Reach for the Stars) Le Groupe des Cigognes Commemorative Medal, 1920.. ...

Description

Rare French Feriam Sidera (Reach for the Stars) Le Groupe des Cigognes Commemorative Medal, 1920.

Bronze, 88 mm, designed by Paul Marcel Dammann (1885-1939). The obverse features a nude feminine figure lacing a winged sandal; the reverse displays four Storks, the emblem of the SPA 3, which is engraved on the reverse along with five other squadrons and the names of squadron aces Brocard, Guynemer, Garros, Navarre, Pinsard, Fonck, Dorme, Deullin and Heurtaux. A beautiful medal.

Condition: Fine.

More Information: In August of 1914, when World War One broke out between France and Germany, young American citizens who were residing in France rushed to the aid of the French Republic. The first volunteers joined the French Air Service and soon engaged German squadrons in aerial combat over the front lines. Other young Americans volunteered to serve with the French Ambulance Corps and drove Ford Ambulances to the front to recover wounded from the battle lines and transport them back to the hospitals.

This vanguard of American volunteers was small in number. Only 38 American pilots flew in the Lafayette Escadrille. Two-hundred-thirty-one other young Americans flew heroically in other French Squadrons. These American pilots flew and fought in French uniforms. The Ambulance drivers wore their own distinctive uniform. The following offerings represent these young heroes' service to France in the Great World War.