Do you know what this medal is?

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 19:34:39 -0500

I am assisting the Army Chaplain Corps Museum with identifying a military medal currently in their occupation. This item was recently donated by the family of CH (BG) James O’Neill to the museum. At this time, nothing is known about this piece other than it was given to CH O'Neill at some point in his military career (1926-1952).

If you have any information on this item or can direct me to someone who may be able to provide further details, it would be greatly appreciated. Currently reaching out to multiple sources and experts.

The words translate to “You have conquered, O Galilean”.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Nov 14 at 2024 7:58 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 19:58:36 -0500

I would guess that it's a Greek Orthodox religious award. The cross is Greek as is the alphabet being used. Inasmuch as the four images appear to be religious icons, I would expect that the purpose of the medal is religious (as opposed to anything martial- or Olympics related. I looked through the first seven pages of "greek medals" on eBay and didn't find anything like it. You may want to continue that search. There are more pages.

Response by COL Randall C. made Nov 14 at 2024 10:22 PM

COL Randall C. — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 22:22:46 -0500

I would start digging in Chaplain O'Neill's past to see if he had a connection to the Equestrian Order Of The Holy Sepulchre Of Jerusalem (EOHJC).

The medal very much looks like a combination of the EOHSJ Jerusalem Cross with the smaller crosses (representing Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) replaced with the four medals (Sacred heart, St. Christopher, St. Joseph, and Miraculous) from a Catholic four-way cross.

Response by Bethina Lee made Nov 14 at 2024 11:54 PM

Bethina Lee — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 23:54:06 -0500

Those was (supposedly) the last words of the last pagan Emperor of Rome Julian; son of Emperor Flavius Julius Constantius, half brother of the Great Constantine. It's basically interpreted as referring to "GALILAIE" Galilean as Christ and the Christian Relgion overcoming Julian's persecution of Christians during his reign. I believe the vertical lettering is some type of number...
Further reading about the Greek lettering it maybe related to Engineering or Masonic organizations..that's as far as I researched. My eyes are a little fried from the detailed research that I started around 7pm EST.
Let me know what info you will further dig up

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Against_the_Galileans

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_(emperor)

https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08558b.htm

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-roman-studies/article/abs/death-of-julian-the-apostate-in-a-christian-legend/2D142F4F8AE753B3DAF3C732FE6176EB

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian%27s_Persian_expedition

Against the Galileans - Wikipedia