103226 | FRANCE & UNITED STATES. Journalism Art Deco bronze Medal.

103226  |  FRANCE & UNITED STATES. Journalism Art Deco bronze Medal. Engraved and awarded in 1941 to Douglas MacArthur II (59mm, 96.54 g, 12h). By Robert Cochet at the Paris mint.

 

Personification of Journalism seated left, head facing, holding up reflecting mirror, cradling large quill, and resting elbow upon globe; newspaper scrolls around; emanating from the rays of the mirror are various subjects of reporting; JOVRNALISME in exergue // Printing press; below, circular medallion surrounded by laurel branches and engraved "Douglas / MacArthur II / VICHY / 1940–1941" in four lines. Edge: «cornucopia» BRONZE.

 

Maier –. Choice Mint State. Brassy-olive surfaces, with a great matte nature and subtle brilliance throughout. A scarce and exceptionally pleasing Art Deco type engraved and awarded to a tangible figure in American history.

 

While the name Douglas MacArthur is instantly recognizable, this medal wasn't awarded to the famous general who thought that he would "just fade away," but to a nephew who was named after him. Born in Bryn Mawr in 1909 to Arthur MacArthur III, the elder surviving brother of the five-star general, Douglas II would have an extensive life in public service himself. During his lengthy career, he served as the ambassador of the United States to Japan, Belgium, Austria, and Iran, and, early in his career, served as secretary of the American Embassy in Vichy France from 1940-1942—the time at which he was awarded this medal. This would have occurred just before the United States broke diplomatic relations with the Vichy government, with MacArthur, along with other diplomatic staff and civilians, being interned in Baden Baden in Germany for two years until an intermee exchange in early 1944. In 1934, MacArthur married the daughter of Alben W. Barkley, the future vice president during Harry Truman's elected term as president.

 

Here, journalism is presented allegorically, reflecting light upon any number of subjects and presenting facts to a populace. This can be summed up rather succinctly in the Washington Post's slogan, "democracy dies in darkness"—at least, before the once mighty paper fell victim to an oligarch more interested in mega-weddings and space exploration for the nouveau riche.

 

Upload: 14 July 2025.

 

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