Beautiful group of three to US Marine who participated in China Relief Expedition 1900

[JapanX]

I guess many of you Jents saw this interesting and beautiful group on sell couple of years ago. Unfortunately I miss the action, but at least I have this pic

[JapanX]

The name of the cavalier Howard S. Black, US Marine Corps.

[JapanX]

Here we have (LTR) China Relief Expedition 1900, Marine Corps, numbered “529” and impressed on the rim “Howard S. Black”, with original issue May 1933-dated box (not shown), Medal of the Old Guard of Philadelphia, numbered “141” and marked “BB&B/Bronze”, United Spanish War Veterans Order of the Serpent, second class, with silver officer’s bar, with “H.S. Black” written on the back of the pendant.

Private Black enlisted in October 1899. He served in Company D, Marine Pioneer Battalion, Samar, Philippines. Records indicate that he received two China Relief Medals, 215 and 529 (sic!). He also received Philippine Campaign Medal #617 (location unknown). In February 1901, Black was discharged at Mare Island, California. Upon his return to Philadelphia, he joined the Old Guard of Philadelphia, a unit of retired veterans. Some sources show him as Howard S. Black and some as Walter S. Black, but the Marine Corps muster rolls used Howard S. Black.

I wonder how come that this brave soldier got two China Relief Medals, #215 and #529? Another case of pre-30s duplicated awarding practice? Any thoughts?

Regards,

Nick

Edited March 22, 2012 by JapanX