Mexican Border Service Medal
Encyclopedia
The Mexican Border Service Medal was a decoration of the United States military which was established by an act of the United States Congress
on July 9, 1918. The decoration recognizes those military service members who performed military service on the U.S.-Mexico border between the dates of January 1, 1916 and April 6, 1917, a period of time where the US-Mexico border was perceived to be threatened by a suggested German-funded invasion (discovered by the interception of the Zimmermann Telegram
).
To be awarded the Mexican Border Service Medal, a service member must have served with the United States Army
, along the Mexican border, or must have been assigned as a Regular or National Guard member to the Mexican Border Patrol. Those who had received the Mexican Service Medal
were not eligible for the Mexican Border Service Medal.
The Mexican Border Service Medal held dual status as both a Federal award and a decoration of the United States National Guard
. The Texas National Guard created a similar decoration, known as the Texas Cavalry Service Medal
, and permitted Texas Guardsman to receive both the Border Service and the Cavalry Service Medal for the same period of duty.
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
on July 9, 1918. The decoration recognizes those military service members who performed military service on the U.S.-Mexico border between the dates of January 1, 1916 and April 6, 1917, a period of time where the US-Mexico border was perceived to be threatened by a suggested German-funded invasion (discovered by the interception of the Zimmermann Telegram
Zimmermann Telegram
The Zimmermann Telegram was a 1917 diplomatic proposal from the German Empire to Mexico to make war against the United States. The proposal was caught by the British before it could get to Mexico. The revelation angered the Americans and led in part to a U.S...
).
To be awarded the Mexican Border Service Medal, a service member must have served with the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, along the Mexican border, or must have been assigned as a Regular or National Guard member to the Mexican Border Patrol. Those who had received the Mexican Service Medal
Mexican Service Medal
The Mexican Service Medal is an award of the United States military which was established by General Orders of the United States War Department on December 12, 1917...
were not eligible for the Mexican Border Service Medal.
The Mexican Border Service Medal held dual status as both a Federal award and a decoration of the United States National Guard
United States National Guard
The National Guard of the United States is a reserve military force composed of state National Guard militia members or units under federally recognized active or inactive armed force service for the United States. Militia members are citizen soldiers, meaning they work part time for the National...
. The Texas National Guard created a similar decoration, known as the Texas Cavalry Service Medal
Texas Cavalry Service Medal
The Texas Cavalry Service Medal is a military decoration of the Texas National Guard which was created by an act on the United States Congress on April 16, 1924...
, and permitted Texas Guardsman to receive both the Border Service and the Cavalry Service Medal for the same period of duty.
See also
- Awards and decorations of the United States militaryAwards and decorations of the United States militaryAwards and decorations of the United States Military are military decorations which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the United States armed forces...