Museum build a collection

[EEMueller]

Hello all.

 

I represent the 14-18 Meuse Argonne Museum. We are a small, but growing venture, and from the name, you can probably guess what our focus is.

 

In addition to the current collection, we are trying to create a display that has a WW1 service medal from each state. I understand that there are only 13-14 "state-level" medals, with the others being from cities, counties, or other organizations. I also have seen that various states/counties/cities use medals that are of very similar designs, which I would suspect are from the same manufacturer.

 

I am new to the collecting of medals, so I am looking for any information or advise that you may offer.

 

To date, this is what we have been able to acquire so far:

 

California – City of San Francisco

Connecticut – state medal x 2

Illinois - Fox River Valley Cities

Indiana - St Joseph County (similar design to Hudson, Mass.)

Kansas - Shawnee County (similar design to Oregon state medal)

Maryland – state medal

Massachusetts x 2 - City of Somerville, Town of Hudson (similar designs)

Michigan - City of Zeeland (same design as the North Carolina state medal)

Missouri – state medal

New Hampshire – state medal

New Jersey x 2 – state medal, state council of NJ, Jr. O.U.A.M

New York – state medal

North Carolina – state medal

Ohio - City of Canton

Oregon – state medal

Pennsylvania – state medal x 2

South Carolina - Greenville County

Virginia - City of Richmond

 

Also, if anyone has medals that they are willing to sell or trade, I would be most happy to hear from you.

 

Thank you in advance. Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

Eric Mueller

[ScottG]

Message sent to your inbox.   Scott

[bertmedals]

Eric,

I think this is a very interesting approach and could produce a nice representative exhibt.  Happy to help per PM exchanged with you earlier this morning.

 

I believe the states (including the District of Columbia) that actually awarded "state level" WWI service medals of some type or form are as follows (several having more than one):

 

1. Colorado

2. Connecticut

3. Delaware

4. Maryland

5. Missouri

6. New Hampshire

7. New Jersey

8, New York

9. North Carolina

10. Oklahoma

11. Oregon

12. Pennsylvania

13. Rhode Island

14. Wyoming

15. District of Columbia

 

I think the above list is comprehensive. I'd be interested to see if anyone on the Forum knows of others -- there have been others reported but, to the best of my knowledge, not yet confirmed.

 

I have a count of 44 states and the District of Columbia that had at least one county, city, town or organization WW1 service medal awarded from within the state leaving 4 that did not: Arizona, Mississippi, Nevada, and New Mexico by my count.  Again, I would be interested if anyone on the forum have seen any from those 4 states.

 

Dennis

 

[45govt]

Hello

From "State Medals For War Service" by Douglas W. Boyce in addition to the above list a medal for the state of Texas was issued.

Also, it doesn't list a specific medal for WW1, only an active service medal.

Don

[bertmedals]

On 12/20/2022 at 6:46 PM, 45govt said:

Hello

From "State Medals For War Service" by Douglas W. Boyce in addition to the above list a medal for the state of Texas was issued.

Also, it doesn't list a specific medal for WW1, only an active service medal.

Don

Don,

I think that is a good catch.  After closely re-reading Boyce's section on the Texas state medals (revised edition), there appears to be 2 Texas medals awarded for WW1 service.  The Medal for Failthful Service (established in 1930) was awarded to personnel who served in the Texas National Guard during WW1 (and several other wars/operations). This medal was discontinued for war service in 1963 and converted to a true "faithful service" medal.  A second medal, the Texas Service Medal, was established in 1933 to recognize Texans for war service in US forces (vice National Guard) which presumably includes WW1.  As you note, there appears to be no distinction to either medal to identify it specifically as being for WW1 serivce like the "1917-1918" bar on the Colorado Active Service Medal to designate WW1 service vice service in other wars/campaigns.

 

Thanks for the input.

Dennis