Porto Rico Occupation Group to Lt. Edward Slemmons...Reunited!

[Javelin4life]

Currently the research/write up is in progress, but I wanted to share this with you all. I acquired Lt Edward Slemmons Porto Rico medal back in June, but can now say that I have finally reunited the group. As Slemmons served stateside during WWI, he was most likely entitled to a no bar victory medal, and i have included one to his group to show his length of service. Id like to sincerely thank Adam Rohloff for working with me to reunite Lt Slemmons only other numbered decoration with its brethren, and Clinton Foster for his expert craftsmanship at restoring the drapes. I hope you enjoy the pictures, and will post in the future once the research is complete.

 

The Army of Porto Rico medal was struck in response to troops serving in occupied Porto Rico following the Spanish American War. There were approximately 3000 struck. Of those 3000, only the first 320 are traceable. While No. 201-320 had the prefixed number and tall narrow font on the obverse, the first 200 have a distinct square font to the lettering of the obverse, as well as an unprefixed stamped number on the rim. I have included a comparison between the type 3 (M No. instead of No. is the only difference between type 3 and 2, respectively) and type 1 to show the font differences. Due to these criteria, this makes the traceable Porto Rico medal, and especially the type 1, the rarest army campaign medal to obtain.

 

 

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[KurtA]

Very nice! That variation of the PR medal is rare.

[bobgee]

Great group & re-unification. Congrats!

[BigJohn#3RD]

It is great to hear that a group of medals is reunited and it such pristine condition. Thank you for posting the relatively unknown information about the font used on the different versions of the Porto Rico medal in particular.

[joeclown]

Strange about the spelling of Puerto Rico or am I missing something

[Javelin4life]

Strange about the spelling of Puerto Rico or am I missing something

I believe At the time this was struck that is how the country was spelled in the US.

[Javelin4life]

It is great to hear that a group of medals is reunited and it such pristine condition. Thank you for posting the relatively unknown information about the font used on the different versions of the Porto Rico medal in particular.

Youre welcome! The majority that are shown are the type 2 and 3. The type 1 is so elusive that I wanted to provide a detailed current and future reference for a side by side comparison between the two versions. Im glad you appreciate them!