Jump to content

Unreported WWI Service Medal


JBFloyd
 Share

Recommended Posts

You might think that after 100 years, the medal collecting community would have noted and recorded the various World War I service medals issued by various towns. However, there are always a few that get overlooked and this is one of those issues.

 

Penfield, New York, a suburb of Rochester, only had a population of 2,087 people in 1920, so its veterans wouldn't even constitute a full infantry company. The town still wished to recognize the service of its veterans, but probably did not wish to spend the money necessary to have a set of dies cut for a unique service medal. Bastian Brothers, a Rochester company known for its jewelry and medallic products, sold a generic medal for patriotic service. The town administrator's bought this design and had Bastian Brothers impress the reverse with "Penfield, NY/August 23, 1919" (the date probably representing the date the medal was awarded to local veterans). The recipient's name was also hand-engraved on the reverse of the top bar. In this case, the veteran is James H. Schlesig, who served with the 502nd Engineer Regiment in France.

 

Even after a century, there are still discoveries to be made.

 

post-293-0-55366000-1579724170.jpg

post-293-0-84206800-1579724198.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...