Texas Cavalry Medal | |
---|---|
Type | United States service medal |
Awarded for | Texas cavalry raised and trained for service against Germany, but who did not qualify for the Victory Medal. |
Country | United States |
Presented by | Secretary of War |
Eligibility | Texas cavalry personnel only |
Status | Obsolete |
Established | April 16, 1924 |
Total recipients | 840 |
Related | World War I Victory Medal |
The Texas Cavalry Medal was a United States service medal established by an Act of Congress on April 16, 1924. It was awarded for service in the Texas Cavalry between September 25, 1918 and November 11, 1918. [1]
During World War I, Texas raised and trained two brigades of cavalry in anticipation of their mobilization in January 1919 and subsequent service on the battlefields of France. The sudden end of the war on November 11, 1918 precluded the mobilization of the brigades and made their members ineligible of the Victory medal. In 1922, the Texas Congressional Delegation lobbied for approval of a medal to recognize the unique service of these troops. On April 16, 1924 Congress authorized the issuance of the Texas Cavalry Medal to those who served in the two cavalry brigades. The medal was designed by Mr. Anthony de Francisci and authorized by Public Law 91 of the 68th Congress and is a lasting testament to the patriotism and dedication to duty of Texas Cavalrymen during World War I. [1]
The bronze octagonal medal is 1+1⁄8 inches (29 mm) in diameter. The obverse depicts the bluebonnet, the state flower of Texas. Inscribed around the edge are the words AWARDED BY CONGRESS FOR SERVICE; at the top of the medal and TEXAS CAVALRY; at the bottom of the medal. The reverse of the medal bears the arms of Texas, a Lone Star encircled by a wreath, surrounded by the dates of service in 1918 when the cavalry became eligible for federal activation and the signing of the armistice to end World War I. [2]
John Leonard Hines was an American general who served as Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1924 to 1926.
The 49th Armored Division —nicknamed the "Lone Star"— was an armored division of the Texas Army National Guard during the Cold War.
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 on the border between May 9, 1916 and March 24, 1917. Additionally, recipients included those who performed duty with the Mexican Border Patrol between January 1, 1916 and April 6, 1917.
Major General Hugh Lenox Scott was a United States Army officer. A West Point graduate of 1876, he served as superintendent of West Point from 1906 to 1910 and as chief of staff of the United States Army from 1914 to 1917, which included the first few months of American involvement in World War I.
Lieutenant General Hobart Raymond Gay, nicknamed "Hap", was a United States Army officer who served in numerous conflicts, including World War II, where he worked closely alongside General George S. Patton, and later in the Korean War, where he commanded the 1st Cavalry Division.
Edwin Baruch Winans was a United States Army officer who attained the rank of major general.
Wilds Preston Richardson was an officer of the United States Army notable for being an explorer and geographer of Alaska in the early decades of the 20th century. During World War I, he was promoted to the rank brigadier general and, because of his cold weather experience, sent to lead the Polar Bear Expedition, part of the Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War. Richardson retired after the war and died in Washington, D.C., in 1929.
Mark Leslie Hersey was a major general in the United States Army who commanded the 4th Division during World War I.
Lutz Wahl was a major general in the United States Army who served as Adjutant General of the U.S. Army from 1927 to 1928.
Charles J. Symmonds was a brigadier general in the United States Army. He served during the Spanish–American War and World War I, and was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal.
Daniel Van Voorhis was a United States Army lieutenant general and was noteworthy for his assignments as commander of V Corps and the Caribbean Defense Command, as well as his efforts in creating the Army's modern armor branch.
Major General Willard Ames Holbrook was a United States Army officer who served for almost forty years. Coming from a family with long military tradition, he was the father of future Brigadier General Willard Ames Holbrook Jr. and brother of Major General Lucius Roy Holbrook.
Samuel Dickerson Rockenbach was an American Brigadier General and father of the United States Tank Corps.
Joseph Compton Castner was a United States Army general. He commanded the Ninth Infantry Brigade in all its operations as a part of the Fifth Division, American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) during the final months of World War I.
William Henry Hay was a United States Army officer who attained the rank of major general as the commander of the 28th Division in the final days of World War I.
Brigadier General James Brailsford Erwin was a United States Army officer who served in the American Indian Wars, the Philippine–American War from 1899 to 1902, the Pancho Villa Expedition from 1915 to 1916 and briefly led the 6th Division towards the end of World War I in 1918.
George Columbus Barnhardt was a United States Army officer who served during World War I. He attained the rank of brigadier general, and was best known for his command of 28th Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 178th Brigade, 6th Cavalry Regiment, and 1st Cavalry Division.
Ewing E. Booth was a general in the United States Army who fought in the Spanish–American War and World War I. He received several decorations for his service, including the United States Army Distinguished Service Medal and the French Croix de Guerre.
John Augustus Hulen was an officer of the Texas National Guard from 1898 to 1935 and Adjutant General of Texas. Hulen served during the Spanish–American War, Philippine Insurrection, Mexican Punitive Expedition, and World War I. At his retirement in 1935, Hulen received a state promotion to lieutenant general to recognize the distinguished service he rendered throughout his long career.
John Alexander Johnston was an American military officer and commissioner of the District of Columbia born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania. He served as a brigadier general during World War I.