United States - American Committee on Armenian Atrocities: Near East Relief Medal 'Set'. Circa 1919-1930

The medal fitted on its original silk riband complete with hinged pin and clasp fittings

The medal sold in its maker marked card box of issue, with makers name and details on card lid 'The Gorham Co New York'

The American Committee on Armenian Atrocities was founded in 1915 in response to the massive humanitarian crisis precipitated by the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire. Many millions of Armenians, Assyrians, Greeks, and members of other minority groups were displaced and over a million and a half died as a result of deportation, forced marches, starvation and execution

The Gorham Company of New York produced the Near East Relief Medal, that was issued to recognize support of Armenian Refuges from the Turkish Empire. It was based on the design of Gordon C. Aymar from the Walter Thompson Advertising Company. The bronze medal is 30mm X 38mm. The relief program emblem (shield) on the obverse includes lesser shields with the Persian Lion, Turkish Crescent, Christian Cross and Cedar of Lebanon with a tiny portrayal of Mount Ararat in memory of the victims of the Armenian genocide. The obverse reads, NEAR EAST RELIEF above and OPUS JUSTITIAE PAX (The Work of Righteousness Shall Be Peace) below. The reverse is inscribed, FOR FAITHFUL AND UNSELFISH SERVICE TO HUMANITY. The center reflects the organization's monogram. The Near East Relief Service medal was awarded by the national field director.

In 1919, the organization was renamed the Near East Relief. By then the organization had grown to include operations throughout the Middle East and West Asia, which prompted the name change

A scarce and desirable medal for services to humanity, and the Armenian people, who suffered terribly from acts of genocide carried out by the Ottoman / Turkish forces in the Great War and immediate Post-War years

Condition: EF

Code: 24668