40 Hommes 8 Chevaux (40 Men 8 Horses) WWI Medal of American Legion

40 Hommes 8 Chevaux (40 Men 8 Horses) WWI Medal of American Legion Bronze colored metal, measures 1⅜” x 1¼”. Intended to be worn (probably on a hat) with a ribbon attached through slot on top. Marked on back I.J.W.U. (Int’l. Jewelry Workers Union). La Société des 40 Hommes et 8 Chevaux ("The Society of 40 Men and 8 Horses"), commonly known as the Forty and Eight, is a patriotic organization of U.S. veterans. Founded in 1920, as an honor society of The American Legion of World War I veterans and Legionnaires. The organization derives its name from the French Army box cars used to transport American soldiers to the western front during World War I. Each car had "40–8" stenciled on the side, which meant that it could carry 40 men or 8 horses. The cars were known as "forty and eights" and viewed by the men as a miserable way to travel. J-1769