United States: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania National Guard War Service Medal 'Set' 1916-1918

The medal fitted on its original silk riband complete with hinged pin and clasp fittingsThe medal sold in its white card box of issue, with makers named and details on card lid and contained within card slip-case carton. Sold as a set accompanied with a companion pin back single riband barAwarded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to all personnel who served in the Pennsylvania National Guard Division (later restyled 28th Division of the American Expeditionary Force), that served on the Mexican Border in 1916-1917, and later who served overseas in France during the Great WarThe 28th Division had the distinction of being the oldest National Guard division in the United StatesMedal obverse has an effigy of William Penn with the abbreviation PNG (Pennsylvania National Guard) below , and on reverse a depiction of the American Eagle, with the numerals '28' in Keystone belowIn 1916, mobilization of the Commonwealth citizens occurred at Mt. Gretna for service on the Mexican Border. As troops began to come home, their mobilizations continued into the Great WarThe Pennsylvania division, now known as the 28th Division, was called up in the wake of America's entry into World War I (1917-1918). America entered the war during the last two years. The division took part in six major campaigns in France and Belgium resulting in more than 14,000 battle casualties. With its entry into the war, the American forces helped turn the tide to the Allied victory. The 28th Division's ferocity in combat earned it the title 'Iron Division' from General John 'Black Jack' Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF)Condition: EF