Back in 1985 when I was writing my book on Wisconsin Military Medals I had a World War One service medal from Grant County.  It is a  bi-metallic  medal design that was a common souvenir type from the Mexican Border Service era with a soldier on the front and the Lord's prayer on back in tiny lettering.  The maker of the medal was Schwaab Stamp and Seal Co. of Milwaukee.  There are fourteen states with Grant Counties in the USA and this medal has no mention of a state. I had this medal for years and had given up any hope of ever finding out in which state this medal was issued. Then out of the blue one of the ladies working here at KP  asked if I would be interested in making an offer on a group of medals her mother-in-law had for sale. She warned me that most of the medals were  American Legion convention medals. When I saw the group I instantly saw the Grant County medal and it was a Wisconsin group! The timing was perfect for my pending book. Just to be safe  I asked her if the original owner was from Grant County, Wis. and yes of course he was.   Don't you just love military medal groups?

As a military medals and badge collector I am always  looking for pictures of medals and badges being worn. The pictures must be clear enough to identify the medals and badges being worn. Such pictures are not common or easy to find.  The majority of these pictures are postcards from the early 1900's since  it was very common back then for professional photographers to print studio portraits on postcards which were then mailed to friends and relatives.  Years ago while President Reagan was still in the White House I found this little gem at some show. Inspite of the uniform I still don't think he looks like a genuine Third Reich soldat. Maybe it's just poor type casting; what movie was that anyway?

Dear Friends and readers, This blog format has some severe limitations in that unlike a forum you can not post pictures or text other than comments.  Therefore if you want to post a picture and text just like what I have posted here please email the pictures and text to me at  fredborgmann@yahoo.com and I will be happy to post it for you in your name.  Please keep pictures small, less than 475x475 pixels and play nice.  The only things that I will not post are personal attacks and nasty stuff.  This blog will only be what we make it. Thanks, Fred

At the left end of this blog's banner you will see the emblem of the Light Horse Squadron, a Milwaukee based Wisconsin National Guard unit organized in 1880 to be the honor guard for President Grant and General Sherman who were in Milwaukee to attend the national G.A.R. reunion. The LHS was such an elite unit that members paid dues in excess of their National Guard pay. Below is a scan of the lapel badge that proud members wore on their civilian clothing.

 

Now it’s your turn to show us something from your collection or an item that you need to know more about.