This is a No. Numbered (No.3697) Cuban Occupation, WW1 Victory medal group. The Cuban Occupation medal has the original full wrapped, open C catch brooch and original ribbon. The ribbon does show some minor wear at the folds. The planchet is in near perfect condition, with no edge knocks. The letters and numbers are well struck, very clear and very easy to read. The WW1 Victory medal has the original full wrapped, flat swivel locking clasp brooch and original ribbon. The ribbon does show minor wear at the folds, but still supports the Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, and Defensive Sector battle clasps. The planchet is in very good condition. The other medal in the group is an Elks (BPOE) Annual 60th Reunion medal, which was held in Boston, MA, in 1924. The reverse has a pin-back clasp and is hallmarked \"ROBBINS CO/ATTLEBORO\".
This group of medals were awarded, issued and owned by Sergeant-Major Irven James Lewis. Mr. Lewis was born on April 7, 1877, at Lowell, Massachusetts. He first enlisted with Battery A, of the 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, on April 26, 1898, and was mustered into Federal service on May 9, 1898 for the Spanish-American War. The 1st Massachusetts HA unit was ordered to Boston Harbor, and remained there without firing a shot in anger. He was mustered out of service on October 12, 1898, at Framington, MA. The next day he reenlisted with Battery C of the 2nd US Artillery Regiment, and served until discharge on April 26, 1899, at Verdado, Cuba, as a Musician. He reenlisted with 7th Company of the Coast Artillery Corps of the Massachusetts National Guard, and was promoted to Corporal in June of 1916, Sgt. in March of 1917, Supply Sgt. in April of 1917, and was discharged on August 24, 1917 as Regiment Supply Sgt. He enlisted with Co. B, of the 101st Ammunition Train (26th Division), and was sent to France with the Division, in October of 1917. After service with the AEF, he was returned to the United States and honorably discharged on April 29, 1919 at Camp Devens. He applied for a pension in January of 1929, while still living in Massachusetts. The 1930 US Census has him living in Boston, MA, and notes that he was a World War 1 veteran (WW-sic). He died in 1947 at Quincy, MA.
I will provide a 22 page copy of his military records from the National Archives (not all pages shown in ); a copy of the issue records for this medal; a copy of his General Index card; and a copy of his pension application. I should also mention that he was also awarded and issued the Spanish War Service medal for his service in the 1st Mass H Artillery, but whereabouts are unknown.