War and for duty on the Mexican Border. In spite of the opposition of the War Department to the creation of the medals, Public Law 873 of July 9, 1918 established the medals and directed the Secretary of War to:

procure a bronze medal, with suitable device and ribbon, to be presented to each of the several officers and enlisted men who served on the Mexican border in the years nineteen hundred and sixteen and nineteen hundred and seventeen and who are not eligible to receive the Mexican Service Badge

this award was primarily intended to reward service in the National Guard, although eligibility was extended to members of the Regular Army who were not eligible for the Mexican Service Medal. Unlike the Mexican Service Medal, which allowed periods of eligibility until June 1919, border service after April 6, 1917 did not qualify for award of the medal. Based on this criterion, the award to Horn was apparently for his service while assigned to the 1 st Cavalry. The medal roll for the Mexican Border Service Medal documents the award of 34,012 medals, with the first 23,954 indicating the military unit or civilian address at the time of issue. Subsequent awards list the highest rank and organization during the period of qualifying service. According to the medal roll, his medal was issued on October 13, 1919.

Colonel John R. M. Taylor designed the obverse of the Mexican Border Service Medal, and Rudolf Freund of Bailey, Banks & Biddle, designed the reverse. John R. Sinnock of the Philadelphia Mint sculpted the medal. The medal is described as follows:

Figure 1: Obverse of the Mexican Border Service Medal

Aside from some brief confusion on the part of the War Department over whether a single medal or two medals for both periods of service would be required, the Mexican Border Service Medal was announced per General Orders No. 8, January 14, 1919. The medal was issued for National Guard service on the Mexican border between May 9, 1916, and March 24, 1917, or for members of the Regular Army for actual service with the Mexican Border Patrol between January 1, 1916, and April 6, 1917. As with the Spanish War Service Medal,

Figure 2: Reverse of the Mexican Border Service Medal

Obverse: (Figure 1) In the center of a bronze medallion one and a quarter inches in diameter, a

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sheathed Roman sword is shown hanging on a tablet upon which is inscribed, FOR SERVICE ON THE MEXICAN BORDER. A laurel wreath contained within the raised edge of the medal surrounds the tablet. The Roman sword symbolizes war or military strength; its being sheathed indicates National Guard service within the United States, rather than in actual combat. The use of the sword thus symbolizes service under arms and a readiness to fight. The wreath represents achievement.

Reverse: (Figure 2) In the center of a bronze medallion one and a quarter inches in diameter, the Coat of Arms of the United States with a scroll below, surrounded by a wreath displaying crossed rifles (on the left); crossed sabers (on the right),

and crossed cannon (beneath). The Alans of the United States denote service to the United States government (as opposed to purely state service). The crossed rifles, sabers, and cannon allude to the combat arms (infantry, cavalry and artillery). The laurel wreath represents achievement and alludes to the distinction with which the National Guard members served during this period. This reverse is different than that on other Army service medals of the period and may reflect the non- campaign nature of the award. This, however; is pure speculation on the part of the writer.

Ribbon: The ribbon to the Mexican Border Service Medal is 1 3/8 inches in width and consists of the following vertical stripes: 7/16 inch emerald green, 1/2 inch golden yellow, 7/16 inch and emerald green. The colors have the same symbolism as those of the Spanish War Service Medal: green is symbolic of freedom while gold alludes to virtue. The colors of this ribbon refer to civic virtue by serving the government in the cause of freedom. The proportions were altered to avoid confusing it with the Spanish War Service Medal. Another source indicates that the colors of the ribbon "relate to the Aztecs of Mexico and their arrangement is suggestive of the flag of the Mexican Republic". 2

Figure 3: Nuntbering on tint of medaL

Numbering: The medal was serially numbered (without

prefix) at the six o’clock position on its rim (Figure 3).

Following the Battle of Juarez, Horn remained on the border, first continuing his service in the 82nd and then transferring to Service Troop of the 7th Cavalry in 1920. Established in 1866, the 7th Cavalry was, and remains, a household name. It is unfortunate that the focus of attention is generally on the Battle of the Little Big Horn, as the regiment served with distinction throughout the Indian campaigns. At the time of Horn’s transfer to the 7th, the regiment was commanded by Colonel Fitzhugh Lee (1875-1954), the son of Confederate Cavalry General Fitzhugh Lee and grandnephew of Robert E. Lee. Lee had previously been assigned to the regiment in 1905 and again in 1909, when he commanded Troop K. He assumed command of the regiment on July 8, 1923, remaining in the position until his assignment to the War College on July 16, 1927. As Colonel of the regiment, Lee signed Horn’s certificate of promotion to Sergeant on February 3, 1924 (Figure 4) as well as his discharge on 18 June 1925.

Figure 4: Signature of Colonel Fitzhugh Lee on

Horn’s certificate of promotion to Sergeant.

Service in the 7th Cavalry during this period was spent in garrison and camp duties as well as patrolling the border. The regiment maintained a high state of readiness through an intense training program focusing on individual and unit skills. In addition to lengthy practice marches, the Regiment actively trained, as evidenced by Horn receiving a certificate of proficiency dated December 27, 1924 for the .45 caliber pistol as well as for the .30 caliber rifle. While the military duties continued, the regiment also maintained an active sports program, winning the Post League championship for the third consecutive year in !925. The team also played

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civilian teams, including the Mescalero Indian team. Previously the regiment had won the Fort Bliss Master Trophy in the Fort Bliss Ho)se Show on December 3, 1921 as well as the First Cavalry Division Polo Tournament.

Prior to World War I, Army units did not have individual unit insignia to distinguish one regiment from another. Possibly as a reaction to the exposure to foreign allies experienced during the war, in 1920, the Army officially adopted heraldic coats of arms for individual units. The purpose was to foster Army tradition and esprit de corps. The first insignia was approved for the 51 st Artillery on 18 March 1922 and others soon followed. It was during the command tenure of Colonel Lee that the regimental insignia that is still in use today was finally approved. Initially submitted on October 25, 1921 the request had been disapproved at the divisional level, based on the consideration that a shoulder sleeve insignia for the First Cavalry Division had been approved and that Divisional Commander felt that "the adoption of a special collar insignia for units belonging to the division not only un- necessary but undesirable. ,,3 The request was again sub- mitted in January 1924 and following a refreshingly brief period of discussion was approved on June 28, 1924. The insignia was quickly put into use, both as the unit crest as well as in the seal of official regimental documenta- tion. The seal as it appears on Horn’s 1925 promotion certificate is illustrated (Figure 5). The insignia is de- scribed as follows:

and the opening between the heels, closed with a blue ribbon bearing the words "Garry Owen" in yellow letters, the crest of the regiment (on a wreath or and azure a dexter arm embowed vested azure the hand in a buckskin gauntlet proper grasping an old style United States Army saber hilted).

TO BE WORN

By Officers: On the service uniform on the upper portion of the shoulder loops of coat; on the front of the service hat midway between band and crease.

On the white uniform as on the service coat. On mess jacket on both lapels above line of miniature medals.

By Enlisted Personnel: On the service uniform on both sides of the collar 1/2 of an inch in rear of the service insignia, on the front of the service hat midway between band and crease.4

Figure 5: 7th Cavalry unit crest on Horn’s

promotion certificate to Sergeant.

INSIGNIA: (Figures6 and 7) Within a gold horseshoe showing seven nail holes, heels upward

Figure 6: Obverse of 7th Cavalry unit crest.

Horn transferred to the 28th Infantry in 1927, serving at Fort Ethan Allen, Vermont, and Fort Niagara, New York. Aside from a brief return to the 3rd Cavalry in 1928, he remained in the 28th until his retirement. While assigned to the 28th he completed training as a unit clerk while his rank changed from private to corporal on at least two occasions. It has always been said that "the Army takes care of its own," a sentiment that is proven with Horn. On December 16, 1931 he was promoted to Master Sergeant in Service Company, 28th Infantry. He retained this rank until his retirement on 16 May 1932.

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