Medal of the Month 2/99

Medals of the Month -- 2nd Quarter 1999

Medal of the Month -- June 1999

Brevet Medal -- U.S. Marine Corps

From 1861 until 1915 the Marine Corps had few means of rewarding the heroism of officers other than by awarding a Brevit Commission because the only medal in existance during that time-- the Medal of Honor -- was restricted during that time to enlisted personnel.

Following the Civil War, with its flagrant abuse of the Brevit Commission by the Army, Congress passed an avt which forbid the wearing of an officer's Brevit rank. This essentially sounded the death knell for the Brevit Commission. The last Marine Corps Brevit Commissions were given for the Boxer Rebellion in 1900.

Major General John A. Lejenne believed that those officers who were awarded a Brevit Commission deserved a medal to serve as a wearable sign of their bravery and heroism. Lejenne was able to convince the Secretary of the Navy of the value of the medal and it was approved on 7 June 1921.

At the time of the Brevit Medal's approval, there were only 20 Marine Corps officers still living who had received a Brevit Commission. Because it was not awarded posthumously, the Brevit Medal is the rarest of all US military decorations.

Medal of the Month -- May 1999

1919-1920 Haitian Campaign Medal - Navy and Marine Corps

Following the withdrawl of the bulk of US military personnel from the first campaign in Haiti in 1915, the Marines assisted in the formation of the Gendarmeri d'Haiti in an effort to establish law and order on the island.

Known within the medal collecting fraternity as the 2nd Haitian Campaign Medal, this medal was awarded to Navy and Marine Corps personnel who reinforced the Marine garrison on the island and waged a prolonged and intensive campaign to restore order in Haiti.

Eligibility is to members of the Navy and Marine Corps who served ashore or aboard specific ships operating in Haitian waters between q April 1919 and 15 June 1920.

Medal of the Month -- April 1999

Coast Guard Medal

The Coast Guard Medal represents the highest award for peace-time valor or heroism that a member of the US Coast Guard may earn. The medal was authorized by 14 USC 493 in 1949, however the first medals were not struck until 1958.

Like its counterparts for the other branches of service, the Coast Guard Medal is specifically intended to recognize noncombat acts of bravery which are totally voluntary and far exceed normal expectations. The act for which the medal is awarded must have placed the individual in great personal danger to qualify for award of the Coast Guard Medal.

Coast Guard regulations place the degree of heroism involved as being equal to the standards for the Gold Lifesaving Medal--which is awarded to civilians or military personnel while in a leave status--for acts of heroism involving water rescue.