Item:
ONSV5097

Original U.S. China Marine Named Battle of Soochow Medal - JOHN M. GILBRETH

Item Description

Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is a very rare engraved 1937 Battle of Soochow Creek medal named to JOHN M. GILBRETH. It is complete with ribbon and top bar that reads U.S. MARINES.

The Soochow Creek Medal actually covers several varieties, but all relate to the US presence in Shanghai when the conflict between China and Japan was brewing. Soochow Creek was a main waterway through Shanghai. The medal was the creation of a member of the 4th Marines in Shanghai in 1932. They were locally-made, bronze or gilt, on yellow ribbons with a brown stripe in the center, and with or without top bars. There is also a 1937 version which is this example.

The pendant depicts a coolie pushing a honey wagon. The reverse is inscribed
Presented to
JOHN M. GILBRET
For Bravery and Valor
Battle of Soochow
Creek
Shanghai 1937

The medals were very unofficial, but came with a certificate. They could be bought for $2.00 through the 4th Marines regimental newspaper offices. Scarce in the market, especially complete. The documents are even rarer. Their popularity springs from the "China Marine" connection.

The term China Marines, originally referred to the United States Marines, of the 4th Marine Regiment, who were stationed in Shanghai, China from 1927 to 1941 to protect American citizens and property in the Shanghai International Settlement, during the Chinese Revolution and the Second Sino-Japanese War. Those Marines stationed at the embassy in Peking and the consulate in Tientsin referred to themselves as North China Marines.
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