Cast by Tiffany & Company in 1916, this medal is a testament to the generosity of the American people and DAR members toward the Belgian people during World War I.
After Belgium was invaded by Germany in August 1914, the country experienced a food crisis. In the months and years to follow, Belgium began receiving critically needed food aid, largely in the form of flour, from the Commission for Relief in Belgium, which was under the chairmanship of future President Herbert Hoover. On June 22, 1916, DAR donated $148,615.99 ($3.5 million in 2018 dollars) to the commission. The commission bought and delivered 5.7 tons of food to those in need because of these efforts.
To show its gratitude, the Belgian government presented DAR with a bronze medal. On the front are the profile images of King Albert and Queen Elisabeth of Belgium. On the reverse, a female figure representing America stands at the left side of the medal. A male, female and child figure representing the people of Belgium stand on the right. In the background is a ship with the word “Relief” across the bow. Around the edge of the reverse are the words “Generosite Amerique Belgique Gratitude 1916,” translated as “American generosity, Belgian gratitude.”