Early US Campaign Medal Group - Boxer Rebellion through WWI

[Masonk]

Hi All,
I recently acquired this medal group, attributed to John J Crotty (thanks to a few other collector's for the ID).

I acquired these from a gentlemen who in turn purchased them at an estate sale. All of the medals were in a cigar box, mixed in with some WWII material (thinking the WWII items may have belonged to a relative of John Crotty).

I'm not as proficient with early muster rolls, however after some digging on Ancestry, I believe I may have a grouping that spans from 1900 through WWI.

Timeline is as follows:

> Born 1872 (possibly March 17th)

Service:

> March 14th, 1900 - First enlistment from Earl City, PA
> 1900-1903 - Service with Co E, 15th Infantry
> 1903-1909 - No service info - possible 2 additional enlistments?
> 1909-1912 - Service with Co M, 5th Infantry
> December 10th, 1909 - Issued China Relief Expedition Medal No. 934

I found a NY Abstract of WWI service, showing John J Crotty with a reenlistment in 1913. My reason for believing this is the same John J Crotty as the one above, are as follows:

On the register of enlistments from 1913, it gives the following details:

> John J Crotty, Born Oil City PA, Served Co M, 5th Infantry

The NY Abstract gives the following details:

> November 16, 1913 - Reenlistment (Start of this enlistment, matches up with the end of the previous enlistment with the 5th Inf)
> Born in Oil City, PA
> Age at enlistment in 1913 - 41, and 8/12 months, with would make is YOB 1872, matching previous records
> Height, eye and hair color also match his first enlistment
> Discharged April 10th, 1919, although it does mention a reenlistment

Died - November 8th, 1945 - Headstone lists NY (which matches all of the service above). Headstone refers to a rank of SGT, which is highly likely for a final rank, and his service in the QM Corps, which is also referred to on the NY Abstract.

All of the documents below.

That said, I believe all of the medals in the photo below would have been issued to Crotty. Feel free to chime in if you think I may be off on my assessment.

Thanks!

[Masonk]

Documentation

First Enlistment



NY WWI Abstract



1900 Army Enlistment Registry



1913 Army Enlistment Registry

[Masonk]

Medal details

China Relief Expedition Medal No 934





Philippine Insurrection Medal No 17397





Sharpshooter Badge - Initial on back JJC, Co E, 26th Inf (wondering if this was supposed to be 29th - see NY abstract)

[Masonk]

New York WWI Service Medal



WWI Victory Medal



Army and Navy Union Medal - Made by Metal Arts Co



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Lastly, John J Crotty's final resting place - Interred in Long Island National Cemetery

[BobS]

I wonder why his headstone reads New York, instead of Pennsylvania, since he appears to be from Oil City,PA.? I'm guessing that he transferred to the Quartermaster Corps after long service in the infantry.
Oil City is about 2 hrs north of Pittsburgh, and is also the hometown of "Gabby " Gabreski, famous WWII fighter ace of the 56th Fighter Group.
Thanks for posting.

BobS

[bichon]

Hello
very interesting post, really !!

cordially
Didier

[Masonk]

I wonder why his headstone reads New York, instead of Pennsylvania, since he appears to be from Oil City,PA.? I'm guessing that he transferred to the Quartermaster Corps after long service in the infantry.
Oil City is about 2 hrs north of Pittsburgh, and is also the hometown of "Gabby " Gabreski, famous WWII fighter ace of the 56th Fighter Group.
Thanks for posting.

BobS

Thanks, Bob. While he was born in and enlisted out of PA, his residence during his later service was in NY. This would explain why he was issued the NY WWI Service Medal. He continued living in NY up until his passing. He is also interred in Long Island National Cemetery in NY.

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Hello
very interesting post, really !!

cordially
Didier

Thanks, Didier!

[Walkwolf]

That's a very nice group - especially as
it is ID'd. Congrats.........!

[Masonk]

That's a very nice group - especially as
it is ID'd. Congrats.........!

Thanks, Steve!

[milmuseum]

Very, very cool set you found. Ones like this are very hard to find and very expensive if you do.

Thanks for sharing these.

Burt