Original Items: One-Of-A-Kind. This is a very lovely grouping attributed to a young Marine who served with the 65th Company, 2nd Regiment, 1st Provisional Brigade from 1917-1921, taking part in the Mexican Border War.

The Mexican Border War, or the Border Campaign, refers to the military engagements which took place in the Mexico–United States border region of North America during the Mexican Revolution. The war's time period encompassed World War I, during which Germany attempted to have Mexico attack the United States and engaged in hostilities against American forces there itself. The Border War was the fifth and latest major conflict fought on American soil, where its predecessors were the American Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Mexican–American War (1846–1848) and the American Civil War. The end of the Mexican Revolution on 1 December 1920, marked the close of the American Frontier. The Bandit War in Texas was part of the Border War. From the beginning of the Mexican Revolution in 1910, the United States Army was stationed in force along the border and on several occasions fought with Mexican rebels or federals. The height of the conflict came in 1916 when revolutionary Pancho Villa attacked the American border town of Columbus, New Mexico. In response, the United States Army, under the direction of General John J. Pershing, launched an expedition into northern Mexico, to find and capture Villa. Although Villa was not captured, the US Army found and engaged the Villista rebels, killing Villa's two top lieutenants. The revolutionary himself escaped and the American army returned to the United States in January 1917. Conflict at the border continued, however, and the United States launched several additional, though smaller operations into Mexican territory until after the American victory in the Battle of Ambos Nogales in August 1918, leading to the establishment of a permanent border wall. Conflict was not only subject to Villistas and Americans; Maderistas, Carrancistas, Constitutionalistas and Germans also engaged in battle with American forces during this period.

This grouping consists of the following:

- (3) Photographs: Two of the photographs there are multiple Marines present and judging by their uniforms and the terrain, this appears to be taken in the vicinity of where they were present on the Mexican Border. The third photograph is of Williams in what appears to be his green wool service alphas. The picture is Pre 1920s base off of his uniform especially his Bellcrown service cover.

- 5 Mexican Centavos Ticket: This 2” x 1” ticket is a provisions ticket and is all in Spanish, meaning that this was to be used while in Mexican territory.

- Model 1851 Belt With Buckle: This white canvas belt has a lovely brass buckle and catch which was worn by Williams during his time on the border. The buckle features a lovely Civil War style “US” on the face of it. There are no markings that can be found. The belt is stained throughout and has a beautiful service worn look to it. Measures 34” in length including the buckle and 2” wide.

- Rim Numbered US Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal With Ribbon: The GCM is rim numbered to Williams and is 20221. The medal and ribbon are both in lovely condition. The separate ribbon does have some color loss on the blue portion of the ribbon.

- Rim Numbered Mexican Border Service Medal With Ribbon: The medal is rim numbered to Williams and is 7981. The attached ribbon is slightly deteriorated and the brooch unfortunately is completely detached from the medal’s ribbon. The separate ribbon is in similar condition with fading and fraying present on the sides.

This is truly an incredible United States Marine Corps Mexican Border Service grouping. Comes ready to be researched further and proudly displayed. Semper Fi Marines!

Mexican Border Service Medal
The Mexican Border Service Medal was a U.S. service medal established by an Act of Congress on July 9, 1918. It was awarded for service between May 9, 1916 and March 24, 1917, or with the Mexican Border Patrol between January 1, 1916 to April 6, 1917.

The medal recognizes those military service members who were assigned to the U.S.-Mexico border at the period of time when the United States was on the verge of all-out war with Mexico. The United States was then engaged in the Pancho Villa Expedition, a military operation conducted by the United States Army against the paramilitary forces of Mexican revolutionary Francisco "Pancho" Villa from March 14, 1916, to February 7, 1917, during the Mexican Revolution 1910–1920.

The U.S.-Mexico border was thought to be a potential location for a German-funded invasion by Mexico. Border service went into effect when this possible threat was exposed with the British interception of the Zimmerman Telegram, which discussed Germany's proposal that Mexico join in an alliance with Germany if the U.S. were to enter the war (World War I); in January 1917, the telegram was intercepted and deciphered by British Intelligence and its contents were made public by the United States on March 1 (the U.S. declared war on Germany, April 6, 1917).

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 United States National Guard was sent to guard the American side of the border as regular Army personnel were being depleted by the efforts in Mexico.

The Mexican Border Service Medal held dual status as both a U.S. Federal and National Guard medal. The first recipient was Major General Charles M. Clement, in recognition of his status as the longest-tenured National Guard officer eligible for the award at the time it was authorized.

Congress created a similar award to present to members of the Texas National Guard who served on the border from December 8, 1917 to November 11, 1918, known as the Texas Cavalry Medal. These guardsmen deployed to the border to free up regular Army units for service during World War I.