WW1 Medal 26th Division... Awarded, Reunion, Commemorative, or What?

[diggummup]

I found this medal at a garage sale and I can't find another one like it. It does not have a makers mark of any kind. Inside the box was a folded up piece of paper that lists a brief summary of what the 26th (Yankee division) has done while in France. The bottom of the letter states- "Extract from Presidential Dinner Menu, 26th Division
December 25, 1918 Christmas day
Montigney Le Roi France"

What are your thoughts on these 2 pieces? Is the medal one that was awarded to the 26th for their service in France? Or is it a remembrance type of medal given years after the war?

Here are the pics-

 

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[Mackaydon]

Interesting that the letter predates the final date on the medal.
This might suggest the two are somewhat unrelated.
Don.....

 

[bigchuck52]

Below is the list of commendations the unit got in WW1. I think the last two may be of importance to this medal. It was probably earned in 1918 but given later as a rememberance of the actions. The "letter" was from the actual honor ceremony and probably from the HQ unit recognizing the actions of the expeditionary force. Use the link below to read the history of the unit. The owner of the medal most likely got a copy of the actual declaration and decided to mate the two as a momento.
History of the 26th "Yankee" Division | Lane Memorial Library

The Division has been cited in American and French orders and commended in letters and service memoranda as follows: -Cited in G. O. No. 7, Hq. 11th Army Corps (French), March 15, 1918.
Cited (104th Inf.) in G. O. No. 737 A, Hq. 32nd Army Corps (French), April 6, 1918.
Commended (101st Inf.) in Service Memorandum, Hq VIIIth Army (French), June 8, 1918.
Commended in Service Memorandum, Hq VIIth Army (French), June 17, 1918.
Congratulated in Memorandum, Hq. 32nd Army Corps (French), June 18, 1918.
Cited in G. O. No. 131, Hq. 32nd Army Corps (French), Jun 18, 1918.
Commended (103rd Inf.) in letter from G. H. Q., A. E. F., June 20, 1918.
Cited in G. O. No. 133, Hq. 32nd Army Corps (French), June 27, 1918.
Congratulated in letter, Hq. VIth Army (French), July 29, 1918.
Cited in G. O. VIth Army (French), August 9, 1918.
Cited in G. O., G. H. Q., American E. F., August 28, 1918.
Cited (102nd Inf.) in G. 0. No. 19, Hq. 5th Army Corps, American E. F., September 18, 1918.
Commended in letter from Hq. 2nd Colonial Corps (French), October 3, 1918.
Commended in letter from Hq. 2nd Colonial Corps (French), October 7, 1918.
Commended in letter from Hq. 17th Army Corps (French), October 24, 1918.
Commended (104th Inf.) in letter from Hq. 18th Division (French), November 17, 1918.
Commended in letter from Hq. 2nd Colonial Corps (French), November 14, 1918.
Cited in G. O. No. 232, G. H. Q., A. E. F., December 19, 1918.
Cited in G. O. No. 238, G. H. Q.,-A. E. F., December 26, 1918.

 

[diggummup]

Below is the list of commendations the unit got in WW1. I think the last two may be of importance to this medal. It was probably earned in 1918 but given later as a rememberance of the actions. The "letter" was from the actual honor ceremony and probably from the HQ unit recognizing the actions of the expeditionary force. Use the link below to read the history of the unit. The owner of the medal most likely got a copy of the actual declaration and decided to mate the two as a momento.
History of the 26th "Yankee" Division | Lane Memorial Library

The Division has been cited in American and French orders and commended in letters and service memoranda as follows: -Cited in G. O. No. 7, Hq. 11th Army Corps (French), March 15, 1918.
Cited (104th Inf.) in G. O. No. 737 A, Hq. 32nd Army Corps (French), April 6, 1918.
Commended (101st Inf.) in Service Memorandum, Hq VIIIth Army (French), June 8, 1918.
Commended in Service Memorandum, Hq VIIth Army (French), June 17, 1918.
Congratulated in Memorandum, Hq. 32nd Army Corps (French), June 18, 1918.
Cited in G. O. No. 131, Hq. 32nd Army Corps (French), Jun 18, 1918.
Commended (103rd Inf.) in letter from G. H. Q., A. E. F., June 20, 1918.
Cited in G. O. No. 133, Hq. 32nd Army Corps (French), June 27, 1918.
Congratulated in letter, Hq. VIth Army (French), July 29, 1918.
Cited in G. O. VIth Army (French), August 9, 1918.
Cited in G. O., G. H. Q., American E. F., August 28, 1918.
Cited (102nd Inf.) in G. 0. No. 19, Hq. 5th Army Corps, American E. F., September 18, 1918.
Commended in letter from Hq. 2nd Colonial Corps (French), October 3, 1918.
Commended in letter from Hq. 2nd Colonial Corps (French), October 7, 1918.
Commended in letter from Hq. 17th Army Corps (French), October 24, 1918.
Commended (104th Inf.) in letter from Hq. 18th Division (French), November 17, 1918.
Commended in letter from Hq. 2nd Colonial Corps (French), November 14, 1918.
Cited in G. O. No. 232, G. H. Q., A. E. F., December 19, 1918.
Cited in G. O. No. 238, G. H. Q.,-A. E. F., December 26, 1918.

Makes sense. Now if I could only find another example of this ribbon medal...

 

[Bramblefind]

This sounds like it could be the same medal - sold on ebay last year for $89. No pic though...

feedback-

Excellent medal! Arrived quickly & safely. Many thanks!!! Buyer: hfiyalkonyc ( 559Purple star icon for feedback score in between 500 to 999) May-16-12 15:26
World War 1 Yankee Division Medal 26th Division U.S.A. 1917-1919 (#120910761791) US $89.00

Bottom of the page here:

InstrumentsFair.com - World War 1 Yankee Division Medal 26th Division U.S.A. 1917-1919

 

[diggummup]

This sounds like it could be the same medal - sold on ebay last year for $89. No pic though...

feedback-

Excellent medal! Arrived quickly & safely. Many thanks!!! Buyer: hfiyalkonyc ( 559Purple star icon for feedback score in between 500 to 999) May-16-12 15:26
World War 1 Yankee Division Medal 26th Division U.S.A. 1917-1919 (#120910761791) US $89.00

Bottom of the page here:

InstrumentsFair.com - World War 1 Yankee Division Medal 26th Division U.S.A. 1917-1919

Even without a pic. that's the closest I have seen. Thanks Bramblefind.