Haitian Medaille Militaire

[John5813]

All,

I have noticed that this medal was awarded to marines during the "Banana Wars" and have wondered what it looked like. Does anyone have any photos of it in wear? Thanks in advance.

John

[Chris Boonzaier]

Joghn5813 is looooong gone... but just to fill the hole.... anyone have an idea what medal he was on about?

[Dave Danner]

There were a couple of medals that fit that name.

The "M?daille Militaire de la Garde d?Ha?ti" was a decoration created in the late 1920s, when the Garde d?Ha?ti was created from the US-trained Gendarmerie d'Ha?ti. I used to have one of these. They were made, IIRC, by Bailey, Banks and Biddle of Philadelphia.

The "Ordre de Jean Jacques Dessalines pour M?rite Militaire", was a Haitian military order, awarded to Haitians and foreigners. I know the name isn't exactly the same, but the "looooong gone John" asked about the one that was awarded to Marines. Marines like Chesty Puller and Alexander Vandegrift, whose bios include the "Haitian Medaille Militaire", did not serve in Haiti during the Garde period, but earlier. Chesty was there from 1919 to 1924, Vandegrift from 1916 to 1918 and 1919 to 1923. If you look at their ribbons, you will see a half-red, half-black ribbon near or at the end - this is the ribbon of the Ordre de Jean Jacques Dessalines pour M?rite Militaire.

This dealer website has some pictures of these two and other Haitian decorations: http://www.medal-medaille.com/index.php?cPath=66

Puller (note that Puller has the colors reversed, with the black before the red):

Vandegrift:

[John5813]

Dave,

Thanks for the info and sorry for such a late reply. For those that are interested, the following men also received this award:

Smedley D Butler (Double Medal of Honor ecipient)

Herman Hanneken (Medal of Honor recipient)

Walter N Hill

Thanks again.

John