WWI Rim Numbered Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals

[Bill Brouillard Jr.]

At the end of WWI the Marine Corps determined that the "Duration of War" Enlisted Men were entitled to the award of the Good Conduct Medal regardless of how long they served between April 6, 1917 to November 11, 1918. If they performed Honorable Service than the medal and certificate were sent to the Marine  whether he was discharged or not. These medals can be found as the standard design but with the edge of the medal stamped Mno. XXXXX. The numbers begin at 20000 and end at 70500 (approximately) - About 10% of these medals can be traced to a recipient from information taken from the Marine Corps Muster Rolls on Ancestry. 

 

Unfortunately the Marine Corps did not keep a master list of who was issued who medal, also it is a misconception that these medals were awarded to "Draftees" - The Marine Corps did not draft men in WWI however in WWII and Korea some Marines were drafted into service. Dogtags for these men would be stamped USMC-SS or USMCSS - The SS means Selective Service.

 

Occasionally the WWI rim numbered medals can be found privately engraved and the command a larger price than the unnamed/untraceable medal which is priced at $45 +/-.

 

Also it is possible to find official replacement medals that fall in the number range usually to replace a lost medal in the 1920's or 1930's to a Career Marine.

 

I have attached some photos from my collection.

 

Bill

[Stogieman]

Very nice Bill, thanks for the information and images 

[Bill Brouillard Jr.]

Thanks for the Kudos!!

 

[Stogieman]

Years ago I had quite a few USMC GCM, always thought they were special 

[Bill Brouillard Jr.]

I have been collecting them since I was 13 - which was 52 years ago!!

 

These are just the Rim Numbered singles - I have some in groups but overall I think I have 150 +/-

 

Bill

[Rich]

A very nice collection. Thanks also for sharing your experience of these.