Heraldry in the News!

And for this particular "Heraldry in the News!" item, there is a family connection for me.

The U.S. Department of Defense* published news article by David Vergun on August 23, 2025, entitled: "[Secretary of Defense Pete] Hegseth Announces Establishment of Mexican Border Defense Medal."

The article notes that the Mexican Border Defense Medal (MBDM) is established to recognize service members deployed to the U.S. international border with Mexico for Defense Department support to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

There's a lot more to the announcement than that, but you can see all the details, as well as images of the MBDM, in the link to the article at: https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4283789/hegseth-announces-establishment-of-mexican-border-defense-medal/

But now to the heraldic part: According to Institute of Heraldry, the MBDM is identical to the Mexican Border Service Medal, struck in 1918, for service in 1916 and 1917 in the Mexican state of Chihuahua and on the U.S. side in the vicinity of the New Mexico and Texas borders with Mexico.

"The medals are bronze. On the front is a sheathed Roman sword hanging on a tablet, along with an inscription that reads "For Service on the Mexican Border."

"The sword symbolizes war or military strength and is sheathed to indicate service in the United States rather than in actual combat.

"On the reverse side is the Coat of Arms of the United States above a scroll and surrounded by a wreath ending at the center with cross rifles in dexter, crossed sabers in sinister and crossed cannons in base.

"The wreath represents achievement. The rifles, sabers and cannons represent the infantry, cavalry and artillery.

"The ribbon's field of green is symbolic of freedom, while the golden yellow color alludes to virtue. These colors represent civic virtue by serving the government in the pursuit of freedom."

So, the heraldry part of this post is the achievement of arms of the United States, complete with crest and eagle supporter, placed prominently on the reverse of the MBSM.

But now for the personal connection: My grandfather, George L. Appleton, was awarded the Mexican Border Service Medal for the time he was stationed in McAllen, Texas, from June 16 through December 2, 1916, with the Hospital Corps, 7th Infantry, New York State National Guard. (He also received the New York State Service Medal for his time in the New York State National Guard, January 16, 1916 through May 15, 1917.) I even have some original photographs of him from his time in McAllen.

Here are pictures of the obverse and reverse of his MBSM. If you click on the link to the article, above, you will see that the “new” medal and the old one is identical (well, except for the wear and aging over the last 107 years!).

I must say, I think the quality of the casting of this medal is very high; just look at all the fine detail on something that is only just over an inch and a eighth (28 mm) in diameter!

So this time, not only was it nice to find another bit of "Heraldry in the News!", but also to be able to note a family connection to the object of that news.

* I understand that the President and Secretary have recently decided to change the name to the "Department of War".