United States. A Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, Cased

Fullsize in bronze gilt, measuring 33.5 mm in diameter, original ribbon with brooch pinback; and Miniature in bronze gilt, measuring 16.5 mm in diameter, original ribbon with push pin. Extremely fine. Accompanied by its 36 mm (w) x 10 mm (h) ribbon bar with dual push pins and its 9.3 mm in diameter rosette with button hole attachment, in its hardshelled case of issue, marked "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" on the lid, case also extremely fine.

Footnote: The Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal is a military award of the United States Marine Corps. It was established on May 8, 1919 as the Marine Corps Expeditionary Ribbon. A full-sized medal was authorized on March 1, 1921 by Presidential Order of Warren G. Harding. The Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal is therefore one of the oldest medals of the United States military which is still issued to active duty personnel. To be awarded the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, a Marine must have engaged in a landing on foreign territory, participated in combat operations against an opposing force, or participated in a designated operation for which no other service medal is authorized. After 1961, some commands permitted eligible personnel to choose between the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, or the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, depending on the nature of the operation in question.