This pair of medals were given to an unknown National Guardsman who served on the Mexican Border in 1916. Mexican bandits led by Poncho Villa were in the habit of crossing the border and attacking us cities. The Army and National Guard were sent to the border to protect US citizens.

The first medal in the group has a blue ribbon with red, white and green stripes at center. The ribbon is badly frayed around the edges but is solid at center and still has the original pin at top. The circular drop has a bust of William Penn at center and around the edge is “PENNSYLVANIA NATIONAL GUARD 1916.” The reverse shows Columbia holding a shield and a drawn sword with a screeching American Eagle at her feet holding a coiled rattle snake at bay. They are standing by a marker denoting the border between the US and Mexico. Both Columbia and the eagle face the Mexican side where a storm cloud is brewing and watching for danger. Around the edge is “MEXICAN BORDER SERVICE.”

The second medal in the group is of two piece construction. The top part is a spread-winged eagle over the word “SOUVENIR” while the drop has a wreath of oak leaves over crossed rifles with a stamped brass center showing a soldier kneeling by a large and small cactus firing his rifle. Around the brass disc is “IN MEMORY OF MY ARMY LIFE ON THE MEXICAN BORDER.” The reverse of the brass disc has the “ORU FATHER” in very small script. The original pin remains at top center.

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