United States. A Mexican Border Service Medal, To Private Harold S. Staysa, New York Army National Guard

In bronze, number impressed "9300" on the edge, measuring 32 mm in diameter, bruised, spotting, light contact, incorrect replacement ribbon, better than very fine.

Footnote: This Mexican Border Service Medal (#9300) was issued to Harold S. Staysa. He was the son of Ernest Staysa and Cora Staysa of Potter County, Pennsylvania and was a resident of Potter County, when he enlisted as a Private with the New York Army National Guard at nearby Belfast, New York, for service along the Mexican border. Upon completion of his Mexican border service, he was sent overseas for service during the First World War. While serving in the European theater with Company I, 108th Infantry, 27th Division, Private First Class Staysa was gassed and wounded. He spent some time in hospital in London, England, before returning home to the United States, where he would take part in the parade in New York City on March 25, 1919, honoring the New York National Guard soldiers. His photograph in his wide-brimmed hat appears on page 101/136 of a publication entitled "A Short History and Illustrated Roster of the 108th Infantry, United States Army, Colonel Edgar S. Jennings Commanding, 1918" (https://dmna.ny.gov/historic/reghist/wwi/infantry/108thInf/Short_History_Illustrated_Roster_108th_1917.pdf). Harold C. Staysa is also mentioned in a document entitled "Brokers and Dealers in Oil or Gas Interests, Registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as of December 31, 1938", his address stated as "1728 Rand Building, Buffalo, New York". The Mexican Border Service Medal was authorized by Congress in July 1918 to recognize the service of National Guard troops federalized for service against Mexico, but who did not qualify for the Mexican Service Medal. Troops were eligible for service between May 9, 1916 and March 24, 1917, and for service with the Mexican Border Patrol between January 1, 1916 and April 6, 1917. About 34,000 of the 41,000 medals issued can be traced to their recipients through Army issue records.