The Mexican Border Service Medal was a
U.S.
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 contiguous ...
service medal
A service medal is an award to individuals who participated in designated wars, campaigns, or expeditions, or who have fulfilled specific service requirements in a creditable manner. Service medals are sometimes also campaign medals.
Examples of ...
established by an
Act of Congress
An act of Congress is a statute enacted by the United States Congress. Acts may apply only to individual entities (called Public and private bills, private laws), or to the general public (Public and private bills, public laws). For a Bill (law) ...
on July 9, 1918.
It was awarded for service on the border between May 9, 1916 and March 24, 1917.
Additionally, recipients included those who performed duty with the Mexican Border Patrol between January 1, 1916 and April 6, 1917.
History
The Mexican Border Service Medal recognized military service members who were assigned to the U.S.-Mexico border when the United States was engaged in the
Pancho Villa Expedition
The Pancho Villa Expedition—now known officially in the United States as the Mexican Expedition, but originally referred to as the "Punitive Expedition, US Army"—was a military operation conducted by the United States Army against the para ...
, a military operation conducted against the paramilitary forces of
Francisco "Pancho" Villa
Francisco "Pancho" Villa ( , , ; born José Doroteo Arango Arámbula; 5 June 1878 – 20 July 1923) was a Mexican revolutionary and prominent figure in the Mexican Revolution. He was a key figure in the revolutionary movement that forced ...
during the
Mexican Revolution
The Mexican Revolution () was an extended sequence of armed regional conflicts in Mexico from 20 November 1910 to 1 December 1920. It has been called "the defining event of modern Mexican history". It saw the destruction of the Federal Army, its ...
. The U.S.-Mexico border was a potential location for a German-funded invasion by Mexico, which was exposed by British interception of the
Zimmerman Telegram, a communication that detailed Germany's proposal for Mexico to ally with Germany if the United States entered
World War I
World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
.
Those who received the
Mexican Service Medal
The Mexican Service Medal was an award of the United States military for service in Mexico from 1911 to 1919.
History
The Mexican Service Medal awarded by the Army was established by General Orders of the United States War Department on December ...
were not eligible for the Mexican Border Service Medal.
The first recipient was
Major General Charles M. Clement of Pennsylvania, in recognition of his status as the longest-tenured National Guard officer eligible for the award at the time it was authorized. Congress created a similar award for members of the Texas National Guard who served on the border between December 8, 1917 to November 11, 1918, the
Texas Cavalry Medal.
Description
As approved by the U.S. Congress:
The medal of bronze is 1 1/4 inches in diameter. On the obverse is a sheathed Roman sword hanging on a tablet on which is inscribed ''For service on the Mexican border''. The tablet is surrounded by a wreath. The reverse is the same as that of the
Spanish War Service Medal. The medal is suspended by a ring from a
silk moire ribbon 1 3/8 inches in length and 1 3/8 inches in width composed of a green band (7/16 inch), yellow band (1/2 inch), and green band (7/16 inch).
See also
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Awards and decorations of the United States military
Various medals, service ribbons, United States military award devices, ribbon devices, and specific Military badges of the United States, badges recognize military service and personal accomplishments of members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Such awa ...
References
External links
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{{Authority control
1918 establishments in the United States
Awards established in 1918
United States service medals