Original Items: One-of-a-kind Collection. This is a very nice WWI U.S. Marine Corps metal set, which we believe was awarded to the same soldier. The Haitian Campaign medal indicates that the Marine these were awarded to served in Haiti and / or was aboard the cruiser and flagship USS Washington (ACR-11) or any of the other thirteen named ships of the United States fleet under the command of Rear Admiral William B. Caperton on July 9 through December 6, 1915, for the purpose of protecting life and property during a revolution in Haiti.

Soon after the landing of the U.S. Marines in Haiti, in August 1915, it became apparent that the existing police and military forces of Haiti were in need of a complete reorganization.  With this in view, steps were taken towards the institution of a Haitian Military Police organization which would take the place of all the existing military and police forces of the Republic.

This idea met with the favor of the Haitian and the United States governments and on September 16, 1919, a Treaty was signed between the two powers which among other agreements stipulated that a Gendarmerie should be organized which should take over all the military and police activities of Haiti. The enlisted men of this organization were to be Haitians and the officers to be Americans until such a time as qualified Haitians could be found to take the places of these latter.

The medals and other articles in this set include:

- Original WWI USMC 1915 Haitian Campaign Medal numbered on the rim 3249. Included is a correct ribbon bar pin and ribbon.

- Original WWI USMC Expeditionary Medal numbered on the rim M. No. 63. Comes complete with the original ribbon.

The Haitian Campaign Medal was a United States Navy military award which was first established on June 22, 1917. The medal was first intended for members of both the Navy and U.S. Marine Corps who had served ashore in Haiti from and or was aboard the cruiser and flagship USS Washington (ACR-11) or any of the other thirteen named ships of the United States fleet under the command of Rear Admiral William B. Caperton on July 9 through December 6, 1915,for the purpose of protecting life and property during a revolution in Haiti.

The Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal is a military award of the United States Marine Corps. It was established on 8 May 1919 as the Marine Corps Expeditionary Ribbon. A full-sized medal was authorized on 1 March 1921. 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.

Both awards are in very good condition, though the ribbons have degraded somewhat due to age and use. Also the stitching on the ribbon bar pin is gone, so the ribbon can easily be pulled off the metal bar.

Overall a great set of WWI U.S. Marine Corps medals, with some great research potential!